Thu Mar 06 18:09:01 UTC 2025: ## Putin Vows No Retreat in Ukraine, Rejects Western “Underestimation” of Russia
**MOSCOW** – Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that Russia will pursue a peace settlement in Ukraine that secures its long-term interests and preserves its territorial gains, rejecting any significant concessions. In a meeting Thursday with relatives of soldiers killed in the conflict, Putin stated that Russia would not retreat from the approximately 113,000 square kilometers it currently controls in Ukraine.
Putin’s comments came in response to questions about potential Russian withdrawals. He emphasized the need for a peace deal advantageous to Russia, ensuring the country’s long-term security. The meeting, at times emotional, saw some of the women present wiping away tears.
The Russian President also issued a veiled rebuke of French President Emmanuel Macron, warning Western leaders against underestimating the Russian people, drawing a historical parallel to Napoleon’s disastrous 1812 invasion of Russia. Russian state media has mocked Macron, depicting him as Napoleon in cartoons.
This statement follows reports from last November indicating Putin’s willingness to negotiate with former US President Donald Trump. However, any peace deal would require Ukraine to abandon NATO aspirations and cede territories claimed by Russia, including parts of four Ukrainian regions currently under partial Russian control.
Trump’s recent shift towards bilateral talks with Moscow and a pause in military aid to Kyiv, following a clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has sparked both hopes for a negotiated settlement and alarm amongst Western allies, who recently reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine. Macron’s recent statement characterizing Russia as a threat to Europe further exacerbated tensions. Macron also suggested extending France’s nuclear umbrella to allies and convening a meeting of European army chiefs to discuss peacekeeping troops for a post-conflict Ukraine.
First Piper 