Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on Wednesday that Moscow would press on with its military campaign in Ukraine if current efforts to secure a peace agreement collapse, speaking as he wrapped up a state visit to China.

Despite fresh diplomatic activity led by US President Donald Trump, who hosted both Russian and Ukrainian leaders in August, negotiations remain deadlocked. Putin insisted there was still "light at the end of the tunnel" but warned that his forces would advance if talks falter. "Let's see how the situation develops. If not, then we will have to resolve all our tasks militarily," he said.

The Kremlin leader also questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, ruling out a near-term meeting. Still, he claimed to have made an offer through Washington: "Donald (Trump) asked me for such a meeting, I said: 'Yes, it's possible, let Zelensky come to Moscow.'" A source previously indicated that Zelensky had rejected a similar initiative.

Putin added that Moscow was open to adjusting the format of talks, saying Russia was prepared to raise the level of its representation if required. "If it will be necessary to raise the level of delegations, we are ready for it," he told reporters in Beijing.

European divisions and coalition talks

The remarks come as European powers debate their own role in Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently rejected speculation about Bundeswehr deployments, stressing Berlin's focus on financial assistance and security guarantees. By contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are due to co-chair a September 4 summit of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Paris with Zelensky, aiming to craft a multinational security framework once a ceasefire is in place.

While Trump has promised no US troops will serve in Ukraine, he has suggested a mix of European reassurance forces and American private contractors could provide long-term security. Russia has condemned such ideas, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warning that any NATO-linked presence in Ukraine "under any designation" would be unacceptable.

Territorial red lines

A central obstacle remains Russia's insistence that any peace deal must recognize its sovereignty over Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, Zaporozhye, and Crimea. Ukraine has rejected these demands outright, vowing to reclaim all seized land before discussing political arrangements. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga denounced Moscow's stance as "old ultimatums," calling instead for new sanctions to "sober Moscow up."

Read more: Russia seeks global recognition for seized Ukraine lands