Putin Seeks Final Ukraine Peace Deal, Not Truce
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow is ready to resume peace negotiations with Ukraine and the United States, but insisted that discussions must focus on a permanent settlement rather than a temporary ceasefire. Speaking on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Putin emphasised that any agreement must address long-term security guarantees for both Russia and Ukraine, alongside broader European security arrangements.
Putin Calls for Permanent Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal
Putin said future negotiations should establish security arrangements that would remain in place after a final peace agreement.
He argued that a temporary cessation of hostilities would not adequately address the underlying disputes between Moscow and Kyiv.
The Russian president also repeated his claim that Moscow had not sought the conflict, attributing its outbreak to Ukraine’s response to Russian security concerns. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
US Envoy Witkoff Discusses European Security Framework
Putin’s remarks followed discussions with US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on October 21.
According to Putin, Witkoff raised the importance of examining Europe’s wider security architecture as part of the negotiations.
Russia has agreed in principle to resume US-mediated trilateral talks with Ukraine, potentially in November.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met Witkoff in Norway, expressed willingness to participate in negotiations and supported proposals for a ceasefire, including arrangements covering energy infrastructure and humanitarian initiatives.
Donbas Territorial Dispute Remains Major Obstacle
Territorial disagreements remain a central obstacle to ending the war.
Russia continues demanding control over the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, including territory currently held by Ukrainian forces.
Putin described the region as historically Russian and cited referendums conducted in occupied Ukrainian territories in 2022.
Ukraine rejects Russia’s territorial claims and maintains that any peace settlement must protect its sovereignty and security.
Despite renewed diplomatic engagement, no final agreement has been reached.
