Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a blunt ultimatum on Friday, warning that Moscow will capture more Ukrainian territory if Kyiv refuses the U.S.-proposed 28-point peace plan — a proposal critics say mirrors key Kremlin demands.
Putin: U.S. Plan Could ‘Lay the Groundwork’ for Peace
Putin confirmed for the first time that Moscow has received the American proposal, calling it a potential basis for a settlement.
“I believe it could lay the groundwork for a final peace agreement,” he said, signaling clear satisfaction with terms widely viewed as favorable to Russia.
A Direct Threat
Putin warned that if Ukraine rejects the deal, Russia will expand its offensive, noting that the recent capture of Kupiansk “will inevitably be repeated in other key areas of the front.”
Europe Pushes Back
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that Ukraine must play a central decision-making role.
“Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” she said after speaking with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, adding that EU leaders will debate the U.S. plan on Saturday.