Putin expects full Donbas control by year-end, Reuters reports

According to Reuters, Vladimir Putin still expects to capture the entire Donbas territory by the end of 2026, based on reports from Russian military commanders. The Kremlin source said Putin believes a frontline agreement is impossible until Russia controls the part of Donetsk Oblast still held by Ukraine. Western analysts consider this scenario unlikely due to the slow pace of Russian advances. The reports emerged before Putin's September 5 meeting with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Moscow maintains demands for Ukrainian territorial concessions, while Kyiv opposes any agreement transferring its territories to Russia.