Putin declared readiness to seize Donbas by force: what the West responds.

According to ТСН: Russian President Vladimir Putin once again stated that he does not plan to make concessions in his demands to Ukraine regarding the return of territories, despite US President Donald Trump's desire for a peaceful resolution. He even warned that Russia is ready to seize territories by force if necessary, emphasizing 'the root causes of the conflict.'

At the annual Defense Ministry meeting, Putin openly stated that if Ukraine and its 'foreign patrons' refuse serious negotiations, Russia will achieve its goal of liberating 'historical lands' through military means. He also reminded about the regions that concern the main obstacles in the current peace negotiations.

“The issue of territory, as well as security guarantees for Ukraine, has proven difficult to resolve during peace negotiations, exposing the priorities of Ukraine, the United States, Europe, and Russia,” CNN writes.

Russia illegally annexed part of Donbas but has not yet fully captured the region. According to ISW, at the current pace of advancement, Moscow will not be able to occupy the entire territory by August 2027. In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Kyiv does not recognize the occupied part of the Donetsk region as legally or factually Russian.

American President Donald Trump expressed optimism regarding the possibility of a peace agreement, stating that 'we are closer now than we have been.' At the same time, European allies of Ukraine are showing caution and seeking reliable security guarantees for the country.

Putin emphasized the difference in positions, noting that Russia communicates with the United States, but significant interaction with Europe concerning peace is unlikely under current conditions.

“It is unlikely that this is possible with the current political elites, but in any case, it will be inevitable, as we continue to strengthen. If not with the current politicians, then when the current elites in Europe change,” he said.

These statements by Putin came ahead of an important summit in Brussels, where European leaders will consider the issue of using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized in her address to the European Parliament the importance of reaching an agreement, calling on European countries to take responsibility for their own security and continue to finance Ukraine's defense against Russia.

“There is no more important act of European defense than supporting Ukraine's defense. The coming days will be a decisive step in securing it. It is up to us how we will finance Ukraine's struggle,” von der Leyen said.

Two European proposals for financing Ukraine have been put forward: one based on frozen assets and the other on loans.

As Bloomberg expert Mark Champion notes, the main obstacle to compromise is the issue of territories. He believes that for Ukraine, one of the most difficult issues, besides the military risks associated with giving up significant defensive structures, is the concerns of hundreds of thousands of people who still live in this part of Donbas or have already fled to safe places.

It is worth noting that the German publication BILD previously reported that after negotiations in Berlin, the West spoke of the end of the war in Ukraine. Politicians believe this end is 'closer than ever.' The same opinion was expressed by US President Donald Trump.

The situation around the Ukrainian conflict remains tense. Russia's position and its readiness for action threaten the further development of events. European leaders are trying to find a balance between supporting Ukraine and achieving peace, which will be a decisive moment for stability in the region. Recent statements by US and EU leaders emphasize the need for diplomatic efforts to be intensified and for alternative paths to be sought to ensure Ukraine's security.