MORE: The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected US- and Ukrainian-proposed peace plans while trying to shift the blame for the lack of progress in negotiations onto Ukraine. Putin’s claim about seizing Russia’s “historical” territories if Ukraine and the West refuse to engage in negotiations likely aims to put the responsibility on continued Russian efforts to achieve Putin’s original war aims on Ukraine, not Russia.

MORE: The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected US- and Ukrainian-proposed peace plans while trying to shift the blame for the lack of progress in negotiations onto Ukraine. Putin’s claim about seizing Russia’s “historical” territories if Ukraine and the West refuse to engage in negotiations likely aims to put the responsibility on continued Russian efforts to achieve Putin’s original war aims on Ukraine, not Russia.

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) Dec 18, 2025