Kremlin Sets Full Capture of Donetsk by 2026 as Precondition for Talks with Ukraine.

No Territorial Compromise: Moscow's Hardline Stance

According to Espreso.tv: Russia has firmly rejected any prospect of territorial concessions to Ukraine, pushing back against recent signals from Washington. The Kremlin now insists that negotiations with Kyiv can only resume once the entire Donetsk region is under Russian control. This position underscores Moscow's uncompromising approach in the ongoing war.

According to Russia's Ministry of Defense, the goal of seizing all of Donetsk Oblast is slated for completion by the end of 2026. However, within Russian military circles, a more realistic timeline is considered to be 2027. These statements reveal the Kremlin's commitment to a protracted campaign in the region, despite the challenging battlefield conditions. For context, Donetsk has been a focal point of the conflict since 2014, and capturing it fully would represent a major strategic victory for Moscow.

Conflict Intensifies as Peace Prospects Fade

These developments highlight the escalating tensions in the region and the lack of progress in peace negotiations, which can only resume if Russia's territorial demands are met. The current situation makes clear that Russia has no intention of compromising, a stance that risks further escalating the war in Ukraine.

The refusal to consider territorial concessions, combined with the explicit plan to take Donetsk, signals the Kremlin's intent to sustain active military operations. This also complicates any path to a peaceful resolution, as Ukraine is unlikely to accept conditions that violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity.