Putin hardens territorial demands as US prepares for Moscow talks

MOSCOW, Nov 28: President Vladimir Putin has restated his conditions for ending the fighting, saying Russia will halt its offensive only if Ukrainian troops leave the areas Moscow claims, according to the BBC. These include Crimea, taken in 2014, and large parts of the Donbas region now under Russian control. Kyiv rejects any pullout that would amount to giving up territory seized by force, the BBC reported.