Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed it is “legally impossible” to negotiate peace with Ukraine at the moment.
“Of course, we want to eventually reach an agreement with Ukraine, but it is simply practically impossible now. It is legally impossible,” he told journalists in Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, Nov. 27.
Putin also downplayed Kyiv’s role and said Moscow seeks recognition from other countries over the occupied Ukrainian lands.
“From them, whoever can, whoever wants, let them negotiate. We need our decisions to be internationally recognized by the main international players,” Putin said.
“These are different things, so we, of course, need recognition, but not from Ukraine today. I hope that in the future we will be able to reach an agreement with Ukraine,” he added.
Putin, who annexed occupied Ukrainian territories via illegal referendums – including parts it does not control – argued that any attempt to reclaim them would constitute an attack on Russia.
Putin also said Russia, “in principle,” is ready to fight “to the last Ukrainian” if needed, according to a broadcast of his speech.
He again touched on Ukraine’s presidential elections, saying that “signing documents with the Ukrainian leadership is pointless,” and alleging that Kyiv made “a fundamental strategic mistake” by not holding elections under martial law.
According to Putin, only Ukraine’s parliament can extend its powers during wartime, not the president.
Putin on leaked Witkoff call, US sanctions
Putin also commented on the leaked conversation between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, saying the recording “could be both fake and true.” Bloomberg published the transcript this week.
During the call, Witkoff allegedly sought to facilitate talks between US President Donald Trump and Putin, advising how the Kremlin leader might appeal to the US president.
Putin told reporters that after his August visit to Alaska and meeting with Trump, Washington and Moscow had “agreed” on steps needed to stop the fighting, but the US then “suddenly announced” sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil.
“What is this about? I’ll be honest, I didn’t even understand what was happening,” he said.
In October, the Trump administration imposed additional sanctions on Russia after a year-long push for a ceasefire yielded no results, with Russia backing out of earlier pledges – including initially agreeing to a Zelensky-Putin meeting but then insisting Zelensky travel to Moscow, effectively derailing the talks.
Putin added that there was “no point” in accusing Witkoff of being overly friendly with Russian officials. “We talked to him, we met.”
He said it would be strange if Witkoff had “scolded Russia with obscene language” during private talks and then came to Moscow seeking to improve relations.
“I have known Mr. Witkoff for several months, and his friendship with President Trump has lasted for many, many years, maybe decades. He is an American citizen, he defends the position of his president and his country,” Putin said.
“Yes, our dialogue is not easy. Yes, we conduct this dialogue without swearing and without spitting at each other, like intelligent people. But everyone defends their position,” he added.
Putin claimed that Witkoff is acting not only on behalf of Trump’s circle but also with the backing of “people from the military, diplomatic and administrative circles of the United States.”
“Those who attack Mr. Witkoff there are representatives of a different point of view who want to steal money and fight to the last Ukrainian together with the Ukrainian establishment. In principle, we are ready for this,” he said.
Putin also said that Moscow would halt its offensive against Ukraine only if Kyiv withdraws from all territories Russia claims as its own. Otherwise Russian forces would seize them by force.