Russia Rules Out Ukraine's 1991 Borders Amid US Peace Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding that any agreement to end the war in Ukraine must include full Russian control over the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, as well as Crimea, a stance he reiterated in recent talks with U.S. negotiators. These maximalist demands have stalled ceasefire negotiations, frustrating American efforts, particularly those led by Donald Trump’s envoys, and creating an impasse that some sources say can only be resolved through direct talks between Putin and Trump. The Kremlin insists that restoring Ukraine to its 1991 borders is unacceptable, arguing it would threaten Russian citizens and accusing Ukraine and its Western backers of escalating the conflict. Russia’s position also includes calls for Ukraine to adopt a neutral stance, end anti-Russian policies, and for international recognition of Russian claims to the disputed territories. Most of the international community, including the United Nations, rejects Russia’s annexation referendums and claims to these regions as violations of international law. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a comprehensive ceasefire, while the U.S. continues to engage with Ukraine and Europe on possible conditions for a truce, despite the deadlock.