Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters in St Petersburg on Thursday that President Donald Trump asked Moscow to consider making compromises to help achieve a peace agreement with Ukraine, and that Russia is prepared to do so on the condition that Kyiv also makes concessions.
Putin reiterated that Russia possesses the resources necessary to carry out its military objectives, but he stressed a willingness to pursue a peaceful settlement if both sides accept reciprocal compromises. He said the conflict could conclude rapidly if mutual concessions are forthcoming.
Addressing Russia's territorial position, Putin said Moscow now fully controls the Luhansk region, holds more than 85% of the Donetsk region, and controls 80% of the Zaporizhzhia region. He added that Russia is able to control the Donbas area and still negotiate and sign a peace deal.
On Ukraine's operational situation, Putin described its military as suffering a severe shortage of personnel, characterizing this shortfall as catastrophic. He said Ukrainian forces are losing territory and do not possess certain weapon types, including cruise missiles, that Russia has at its disposal.
Putin also acknowledged that Ukrainian drones have reached Russian territory in some instances and said this has prompted a need to bolster Russia's air defense systems. He asserted that Russia's capacity to meet its military objectives is growing stronger.
The president attributed a direct role to discussions with President Trump, saying the U.S. president raised the prospect that Russia could make concessions as part of a settlement. According to Putin, reciprocal concessions from Ukraine would set conditions for a swift resolution.
Context and implications
The comments combine a reiteration of Russia's asserted battlefield gains with a conditional offer to negotiate, linking a readiness to compromise to reciprocal movement from Ukraine. Putin emphasized both military confidence and a preference for a negotiated outcome if mutual concessions are agreed.