Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on Thursday repeated his demands that Ukraine pull out of the Donbas region in the east of the country, days ahead of a scheduled visit by a US delegation for peace talks to end the ruthless war.

The Trump Administration has claimed that it’s nearing a deal to end the war, but, for now, the conflict’s essential impasse still holds: Moscow won’t accept what Kyiv can stomach.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated demands for Ukrainian troop withdrawals from territory claimed by Moscow. He has been pushing for the recognition of territories that Russia has seized,

Ukrainian negotiators were set to meet with European officials in Brussels, and later US officials in Florida, days after a five-hour Kremlin meeting with a visiting White House delegation where President Vladimir Putin doubled down on his hard-line conditions to end the war on Ukraine.

Trump, admirably, has been trying to bring an end to the killing. But it won’t work, because Putin won’t work with him.

Putin is preparing his forces for winter combat, sending a clear message that he won’t soften his stance despite discussions with the US

Trump is indeed “playing along” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko, former deputy head of Ukraine’s general staff of armed forces, told Al Jazeera.