Putin Vows Russia Won’t Retreat in Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed that Moscow will not retreat from its military campaign in Ukraine, insisting that Russian forces are advancing steadily on the battlefield and weakening Kyiv’s ability to launch counter-attacks.

Speaking on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Putin declared that the conflict would continue unless a peace deal is reached, adopting a defiant tone amid mounting international pressure for negotiations. He claimed that Russian troops were “advancing on all fronts” and that Ukraine’s military capacity had been significantly degraded.

The Russian leader also responded to a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump for a trilateral peace summit involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Putin said he was open to the idea but stressed that the talks must take place in Moscow. “If Zelenskyy wants peace, let him come to Moscow,” he remarked.

Kyiv swiftly rejected the overture, dismissing the condition as cynical and unacceptable. Ukrainian officials argued that agreeing to Moscow’s terms would amount to recognizing territories annexed by Russia, something Ukraine has repeatedly ruled out.

The Kremlin’s position underscores the growing gulf between Moscow and Kyiv, even as Western allies press for renewed dialogue. For Putin, the message was clear: without concessions from Ukraine, Russia will continue its military push, raising fresh concerns about a prolonged and grinding conflict.