On October 1, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin made several statements regarding the situation in Ukraine, particularly about the readiness for negotiations and forecasts concerning the capture of Donbas. He emphasized that Russia wishes to end the conflict as soon as possible through peaceful negotiations.
Readiness for Negotiations
Putin claims that Russia was ready to resume negotiations with Ukraine immediately after the elections. He stressed that achieving peace requires taking into account the "realities on the ground." This statement has drawn criticism, as many experts believe that Russia seeks to impose its conditions, particularly demanding that Ukraine relinquish parts of its territory.
Forecasts for the Capture of Donbas
Putin also stated that Russia would capture Donbas "much sooner" than the 1.5 to 2 years predicted by Ukraine and Europe. According to him, the situation on the front line is "actively developing," and the pace of movement of Russian troops is allegedly increasing. However, according to the Ukrainian side, the situation is quite the opposite.
- In September, Russia allegedly captured 1301 km² of territory.
- The President of Ukraine previously stated that over the past year, Russia occupied about 890 km², while Ukraine liberated 800 km².
Criticism of Putin's Statements
Experts note that Putin has repeatedly changed the deadlines for capturing Donbas. According to estimates from ISW, since 2022 he has postponed the deadline for capturing the Donetsk region at least 15 times. This indicates that the actual situation on the front does not match the optimistic forecasts from the Kremlin.