Putin: Kyiv no peace, Russia will wage war

According to the Kremlin, during a meeting at one of the command posts of the United Grouping of Forces, Putin stated that 'if Kyiv does not want to end the conflict peacefully, Russia will achieve the objectives of the special military operation by armed means.' He emphasized that control over Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov creates favorable conditions for the complete liberation of the Donetsk People's Republic and that 'the liberation of Gulaypole opens prospects for an offensive in the Zaporizhzhia region.' He said that Russia had asked Ukraine to grant residents of Donbas the legal right to self-determination, but Kyiv refuses to start peace negotiations. He noted that there are people in the West and in the Kyiv regime who advise accepting decent terms to end the conflict, but the government is in no hurry. Putin also stated that Russia's interest in the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from occupied territories is decreasing due to the pace of the Russian army's advance.

Context

Putin reiterated Russia's position regarding the military operation in Donbas, emphasizing readiness for further military actions if peaceful solutions are not found.