Putin Signals No Shift on Ukraine as Trump Sanctions Deadline Approaches

Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine will continue despite mounting pressure from Washington, as a U.S. sanctions deadline set by President Donald Trump draws near.

Speaking on Friday during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the Valaam Monastery on Lake Ladoga, Putin said Russia was open to further peace negotiations with Ukraine but insisted that battlefield momentum remained in Russia’s favour.

Putin made no direct reference to the 8 August ultimatum issued by the Trump administration. The White House has warned that unless Russia takes verifiable steps to end the 3½-year war in Ukraine, the United States will introduce new sanctions targeting Russian energy exports and impose secondary sanctions on countries that continue to purchase them—chiefly China and India.

Trump has publicly criticised the Russian president in recent days, describing Russia’s continued missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities as “disgusting” and accusing Putin of “bullshit” in failing to pursue peace efforts in good faith. Despite previously maintaining a cautious posture on Russia, Trump now appears increasingly vocal about the Kremlin’s conduct, as he faces pressure both from within the United States and from international partners to address the war.

Putin, however, reiterated the Kremlin’s view that peace can only come through detailed and private negotiations, not public ultimatums.

“As for any disappointments on the part of anyone, all disappointments arise from inflated expectations,” he said. “In order to approach the issue peacefully, it is necessary to conduct detailed conversations… calmly, in the quiet of the negotiation process.”

Since May, a series of talks have been held in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian delegations. Putin said that three rounds of negotiations had yielded “some positive results,” though he provided no details. The Ukrainian side has disputed this characterisation, saying that Russian delegates lack decision-making authority and continue to press maximalist demands.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeated calls for a direct meeting with Putin, stating that key decisions rest solely with the Russian head of state. “We understand who makes the decisions in Russia and who must end this war. The whole world understands this too,” Zelenskyy said on Friday via the social platform X. “The United States has proposed this. Ukraine has supported it. What is needed is Russia’s readiness.”

We see and support President Trump’s @POTUS efforts to end Russia’s war, to stop the killing, and to achieve a dignified and lasting peace. We are grateful to everyone around the world who supports peace efforts and helps us protect lives.

We have heard the statements coming out…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 1, 2025

The Kremlin maintains that any potential summit would only occur once an agreement had already been drafted by lower-level negotiators. Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, argue that the talks are being used to stall for time while Russia intensifies its military campaign.

On the battlefield, Russian forces remain on the offensive. Putin said his troops were conducting operations along the entire front line and highlighted Thursday’s announcement by the Russian Ministry of Defence that its forces had captured the town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region, following a 16-month campaign.

Ukrainian authorities denied the claim, stating that fighting is ongoing and the town is not fully under Russian control.

The Russian military has significantly increased its aerial bombardments of Ukrainian cities since the Istanbul talks began. In particular, Kyiv has come under repeated attack, with critical infrastructure and residential areas targeted. Ukrainian officials argue that the escalations undermine the credibility of Russia’s stated interest in negotiations.

Ukraine has also urged for an immediate ceasefire as a prerequisite for further talks. Moscow, however, has insisted on reaching a “final and durable settlement” rather than what it views as a temporary pause in hostilities.

Putin claimed that any future agreement must address the long-term security concerns of both Russia and Ukraine. “We need a long and lasting peace on good foundations that would satisfy both Russia and Ukraine, and ensure the security of both countries,” he said. “This is also a question of European security.”

Despite repeated assertions of diplomatic readiness, Western and Ukrainian officials remain sceptical of Russia’s intentions. Kyiv and its allies in Europe have consistently accused Moscow of negotiating in bad faith, using diplomacy as a cover for continued military aggression. The Kremlin has rejected these accusations.

Friday’s remarks were delivered in the company of Lukashenko, a close regional ally who has supported Russia’s war effort and provided Belarusian territory for staging operations. Russian state television showed the two leaders attending religious services at the Valaam Monastery, a location where they have previously met.

The deadline set by President Trump now places further strain on the Kremlin, particularly amid concerns over Russia’s reliance on energy revenues from China and India. With less than a week remaining, there is no indication from Moscow that it plans to alter course.

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