"Historic Russia": The Land Putin Will Not Give Back

Russia’s Terms for Ending the War in Ukraine

In an interview with host Daniel Davis, Russian Ambassador Dmytro Polyansky argued that Russia is willing to negotiate with Washington and Kyiv but rejects a ceasefire before agreement on a broader settlement. He said Russia views the Minsk agreements as a warning, claiming that pauses in fighting allowed Ukraine and Western countries to prepare for further conflict. In his view, a ceasefire now would give Kyiv time to regroup.

Polyansky said trilateral talks could resume at an expert level, potentially in mid-November, and maintained that Ukraine had previously disrupted similar negotiating formats. He argued that negotiations should establish a roadmap before leaders meet to sign an agreement. Davis questioned whether Kyiv’s stated openness to freezing the front line could meet Russia’s demands.

Territory and Rights

Polyansky repeatedly described the conflict as being principally about people and rights rather than land. He called for protections for Russian speakers across Ukraine, including the right to use Russian and preserve their identity.

At the same time, he noted that Russia’s constitution now treats four Ukrainian regions as part of Russia, making territorial questions part of any negotiations. He did not specify a final territorial settlement, describing issues such as buffer zones as matters for negotiators.

Security and Political Legitimacy

Polyansky argued that any agreement should be signed by a Ukrainian leader with public legitimacy. He criticized President Volodymyr Zelensky’s standing and the cancellation of elections.

He also said a durable settlement must address Russian security concerns, including NATO expansion, and called for a European security system that includes Russia. Polyansky denied that Russia intends to attack Europe or NATO, while claiming that Western policy aims to defeat Russia.

If No Agreement Is Reached

Asked what Russia would do if no agreement were reached, Polyansky said continuing the military operation would be the remaining option. He again rejected a ceasefire, arguing that it would give Ukraine respite.

Davis expressed concern that continued fighting would cause further deaths and destruction and voiced hope for negotiations. The interview largely presented Russia’s rationale through Polyansky’s statements, while Davis also challenged aspects of his position and highlighted contrasting Ukrainian and European rhetoric.

Participants

• Daniel Davis: Host
• Ambassador Dmytro Polyansky: Guest