Feb 24, 2022 – Russia launches a full‑scale invasion of Ukraine, marking the start of a war that reshapes European security and fuels NATO’s subsequent eastward expansion [2].

1990s – Western leaders give informal assurances that NATO will not expand eastward, a promise Moscow later cites as a core grievance in its justification for the 2022 invasion [10].

2023 – The Wagner private‑military group stages a short‑lived revolt against the Kremlin, exposing cracks in Putin’s internal security apparatus and foreshadowing the strain of a prolonged conflict [7].

June 2024 – A diplomatic framework demands that Ukraine withdraw from four partially occupied regions and abandon its NATO‑membership bid, setting a benchmark that Putin repeatedly references in 2025 talks [2].

Dec 3, 2025 – Five hours of negotiations in Moscow between President Putin, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner end without a compromise; Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov publicly states, “no compromise version has yet been found,” underscoring Moscow’s reluctance to limit its military initiative [5].

Dec 3, 2025 – A separate five‑hour Trump‑Kremlin meeting produces a 27‑point Russian proposal but yields no visible progress; the session stalls the “Thanksgiving‑deadline” Trump set for an immediate peace deal, highlighting divergent expectations [7].

Dec 3, 2025 – NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte tells Putin at a Brussels briefing, “We’re not going anywhere,” and adds that former President Donald Trump is “the only one person in the whole world who is able to break the deadlock,” emphasizing NATO’s resolve and the perceived centrality of U.S. diplomacy [11].

Dec 3, 2025 – European leaders accuse Putin of “pretending interest” in peace after the Moscow talks, with Britain’s Yvette Cooper urging an end to bloodshed and Ukraine’s Andrii Sybiha demanding that Moscow stop “wasting the world’s time” [14].

Dec 4, 2025 – In an interview, Putin declares, “Either we take back these territories by force, or eventually Ukrainian troops withdraw,” rejecting key elements of the U.S. peace plan while Trump claims the talks were “reasonably good” [4].

Dec 4, 2025 – Putin tells India Today that “Ukraine’s leadership abandoned peace promises” and frames the war as a defense of Russian people, interests and “traditional values,” while reiterating opposition to any NATO expansion [10].

Dec 14, 2025 – Putin demands full territorial gains—including the remaining 20 % of Donetsk—and a complete NATO exclusion for Ukraine, asserting that “the diplomatic tide now favors Russia” [3]; Trump hints that the U.S. might pressure Kyiv into a cease‑fire that cedes territory [3].

Dec 15, 2025 – President Zelensky announces that Ukraine will no longer pursue NATO membership, a move intended to ease negotiations, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejects “megaphone” talks and re‑asserts NATO as a root cause of the war [9].

Dec 19, 2025 – In a live interview, Putin signals that Russia is ready to cease hostilities “immediately provided its medium‑ and long‑term security is ensured,” linking any cease‑fire to guarantees on security and cooperation [1].

Dec 19, 2025 – During the Direct Line televised event, Putin vows there will be “no new special military operations” if the West treats Russia with respect, dismissing claims of future attacks on Europe as “nonsense” [2].

Dec 19, 2025 – At his annual marathon press conference, Putin lists recent battlefield gains, denies that Moscow started the war, and says Russia is “ready to end the conflict peacefully” if Kyiv withdraws from Donbas, NATO stops expanding, and a regime change occurs in Ukraine [6].

Dec 19, 2025 – Putin reports that Russian troops are “advancing across Ukraine” and declares that the Kremlin’s goals will be achieved “nearly four years after the invasion began,” reiterating demands for recognition of four regions and Crimea, plus a ban on NATO troops [13].

Jan 15, 2026 – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov backs Trump’s claim that Kyiv is “blocking a peace agreement,” while Putin calls for “universal, equal and indivisible” security guarantees in any settlement; a Russian drone strike later shatters a playground in Lviv without causing injuries [12].

Jan 22, 2026 – Finnish President Alexander Stubb tells a Davos panel that Putin “failed in every strategic aim,” noting that the war accelerated NATO’s expansion to include Finland and Sweden and that Russia’s global power projection “wanes” amid heavy human and financial costs [8].