Russia to seize 'much more of Ukraine' unless Zelenskyy does deal, senior diplomat warns

Russian forces will seize a bigger slice of Ukrainian territory unless Kyiv agrees to a ceasefire, a senior Russian diplomat has claimed.

Andrey Kelin, Russia's ambassador to the UK, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government had more to lose by prolonging the war.

Mr Kelin spoke on Tuesday as US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Reports suggested Mr Witkoff, who was accompanied by Mr Trump's adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, left with no indication of a breakthrough.

Mr Trump has pledged to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine, but progress has been slow. He has lashed out at leaders on both sides.

"In the last three months, during the autumn, we have liberated 86 settlements – and the tempo of our advancement is increasing," Mr Kelin told On the Record with Hadley Gamble at the Russian embassy in London. If Mr Trump pulls out of the talks, or Mr Zelenskyy refuses to progress them, Ukraine will lose more land, Mr Kelin claimed.

"We will continue movement in a higher tempo and we will get much more of Ukraine's territory ... and they will have to withdraw," Mr Kelin added. "And we will end [on] terms [that] will be much worse for Ukrainians."

Russia has seized about 20 per cent of Ukraine since February 2022, when it launched its full-scale invasion of the neighbouring country. The two sides have in recent weeks been battling for control of Pokrovsk, a crucial industrial heartland close to the front line. Russia claims it has seized much of the city, with Ukraine on the back foot.

The aftermath of heavy fighting in Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Photo: Ukrainian military

The meeting in Moscow between Mr Witkoff and Mr Putin took place after weeks of intense diplomacy but failed to achieve much, with Russia claiming parts of the proposed peace plan were unacceptable.

Asked how Russia will ever re-establish trust with its European counterparts, Mr Kelin said he had “no idea". On Tuesday, Mr Putin, dressed in fatigues, said he was ready for war with Europe.

Mr Kelin said: “We don't need it. If this will come, this will come naturally.