Russia Digs In: No Deal on Ukraine Unless It Keeps Conquered Land

Russia Digs In: No Deal on Ukraine Unless It Keeps Conquered Land Russia has hardened its diplomatic position on the war in Ukraine, declaring that any future negotiations must center on its seizure of Ukrainian territory, a demand Kyiv and its Western allies have repeatedly rejected. The stance signals a prolonged conflict as Moscow, confident in its battlefield advantage, shows no urgency for a compromise peace [58586][17910][17045]. The uncompromising message was delivered by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, who stated that resolving territorial control remains the "main task" for Moscow in any talks [58586]. This reinforces public declarations by President Vladimir Putin, who has asserted Russia's war aims will be met "by force or diplomacy," framing negotiations not as a path to compromise but as a tool to cement military gains [28790]. Behind the public rhetoric, secretive diplomatic contacts have occurred, including recent trilateral talks involving Ukrainian, American, and Russian officials in Abu Dhabi [58415][58750]. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted those discussions and announced a U.S.-Ukraine security pact is ready for signing, he acknowledged major differences persist, particularly on the issue of land [58750]. No new formal negotiations are scheduled. U.S. intelligence assessments align with the public Russian posture, warning that Putin's ultimate goal extends beyond Ukraine to reclaiming influence over the former Soviet empire, suggesting any talk of a deal may be a tactical pause rather than a search for a lasting peace [31282]. An expert on transatlantic relations, Dr. Garret J. Martin, noted that Russia's strong battlefield position means the Kremlin feels "no rush" to make concessions [17045]. Russia has paired this diplomatic inflexibility with continued military pressure. Officials have threatened a "response" to any European deployment of troops to Ukraine and warned against using frozen Russian assets to aid Kyiv [22357]. Simultaneously, its forces are waging a brutal winter campaign of air strikes targeting Ukraine's energy grid, causing widespread blackouts and heating failures in a bid to break civilian morale [58553]. The collective developments point to a war with no clear end in sight. With Russia insisting on keeping captured land as a precondition for diplomacy and Ukraine vowing to fight for its full territorial integrity, the gap for a negotiated settlement remains vast [58586][28790]. Russia's "Main Task" in Ukraine Talks: Territory Putin Signals Long War in Ukraine Amid Economic Strain Russia Holds Advantage, In No Rush on Ukraine Deal, Expert Says Putin: Russia Will Take Ukraine by "Force or Diplomacy" Secret Ukraine Talks Open as Allies Send Winter Lifeline US-Ukraine Security Pact "100% Ready" for Signing, Zelenskyy Says U.S. Intelligence: Putin's Goal is "Former Soviet Empire" Russia Warns of "Response" to European Troops in Ukraine "Russia Targets Ukraine's Power Grid in Winter"