Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of his scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump on Sunday, December 28, 2025, signaling that his administration is prepared to intensify military action if diplomatic efforts fail.
Speaking in a press conference on Saturday, December 27 evening, where he appeared in full military regalia, Putin said Russia would pursue the objectives of what it terms its “Special Military Operation” by force should Kyiv refuse to engage in what he described as “peaceful settlement” talks.
“If Kyiv does not want to end the matter peacefully, Russia will resolve all tasks of the Special Military Operation by military means,” Putin said.
Putin Threatens Military Action as Zelenskyy Heads to US Talks
Putin claimed that some voices in Western countries are now advising Ukraine to accept what he termed “reasonable terms” to end the conflict, including long-term security guarantees and economic recovery.
“We see that there are smart people in the West who recommend that the Kyiv authorities accept decent terms for ending the conflict,” he said.
He added that such terms could create conditions for restoring Ukraine’s economy and improving relations with Russia.
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However, Putin accused Ukraine’s leadership of delaying a peaceful resolution.
“Unfortunately, the leaders of the Kyiv regime are not rushing to resolve this conflict by peaceful means,” he stated.
Moscow Dismisses Withdrawal from Occupied Areas
Putin also indicated that Russia has no intention of withdrawing forces from contested areas in the near future.
He suggested that recent developments on the front lines have left Moscow with little incentive to compromise.
Putin reiterated that Russia remains prepared to escalate militarily if talks collapse.
“If the Kyiv authorities are not willing to end the matter peacefully, we will achieve all the goals of the special military operation by military means,” he said.
The warning from Russia’s President comes ahead of Zelenskyy’s scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump, where both leaders are expected to discuss efforts to achieve peace and end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
On the peace negotiations, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to be accompanied by Rustem Umerov, Economy Minister Oleksii Sobolev, Andrii Hnatov, Oleksandr Bevz, Sergiy Kyslytsya, and Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna.
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From the U.S. side, President Donald Trump is expected to be joined by special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, with other members of the administration possibly attending as well.
Zelenskyy, who spoke on Saturday, December 27, stressed that this is a bilateral meeting focused primarily on U.S.–Ukraine issues. He outlined five key topics:
- U.S. security guarantees
- European security guarantees
- Ukraine’s prosperity package
- The military situation
- A roadmap for implementing all agreements
Zelenskyy reiterated that the 20-point plan is 90% complete, with the goal now to finalize it. He added that the results of the Sunday negotiations will then be shared with Russia.
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