Putin Demands More Ukrainian Territory Beyond Donbas for Peace Deal

Vladimir Putin is reportedly demanding additional Ukrainian territory beyond the Donbas as a condition for ending the war, seeking new concessions in exchange for a peace agreement while intensifying attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure to weaken Kyiv's negotiating position. According to sources cited by the Financial Times, Putin views Ukrainian troop withdrawal from remaining Donbas areas as only a preliminary ceasefire condition, with further concessions to be negotiated later in exchange for NATO-related security guarantees. Winter bombardments are reportedly aimed at destroying Ukraine's infrastructure to force acceptance. The US administration, including Jared Kushner, has begun consultations on security guarantees, but European states oppose using Ukraine peace talks to redraw continental security architecture. European officials insist no parallel negotiations on Europe's security will occur until the war ends, fearing Russia seeks to restore its influence over NATO's eastern flank.