As Ukraine prepares for peace talks in the United States, Putin asserts he will take Donbas by any means necessary.

Putin gave an interview to India Today, in which he stated that Russia "would liberate Donbas and Novorossiya in any case, whether by military or other means," ahead of the Modi summit. Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed that Moscow would seize Donbas in eastern Ukraine "in any case," including through military action. He reiterated this as Ukrainian officials prepare for further peace talks that have yet to conclude with an agreement. Putin plans to visit New Delhi on Thursday, where he will be received by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit comes two days after he met with a US delegation led by Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin.