Putin threatens again to seize territories "by military means" if talks fail
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has claimed that Russia prefers a diplomatic settlement of the war, but warned that if Ukraine and its partners refuse what he called a "substantive dialogue", Moscow is ready to continue seizing territory by military means.
Source: RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency, citing Putin during a meeting of the board of the Russian Defence Ministry
Details: Putin reiterated his claim about the need to "eliminate the root causes of the conflict" through diplomacy, while stating that Russia would seek to "liberate its historical lands" by force. He also once again voiced plans to create and expand a so-called "security buffer zone".
Quote: "We would prefer to do this and eliminate the root causes of the conflict through diplomacy. But if the opposing country and its foreign patrons refuse a substantive conversation, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means. The task of creating and expanding a security buffer zone will also be pursued successively."
Previously:
- On 27 November, Putin claimed that hostilities in Ukraine will end once the Armed Forces of Ukraine withdraw from territories they currently hold in Donbas.
- The Russian leader also said he sees no point in negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and instead wants to reach agreements with "key international players".
- In addition, he said that the legal recognition of Crimea and Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts as Russian territory must be one of the key issues in negotiations with the United States.
- France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is convinced that ending the war in Ukraine is entirely realistic, but the main obstacle remains Putin's imperial ambitions.
- On 1 December, Putin allegedly visited one of the Russian command posts and announced plans to create a "security zone" along the border with Ukraine. Meanwhile, Andrii Kovalenko, Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, said that in the coming weeks the Russians will make many attempts to increase pressure along the line of contact and will accompany this with loud statements. He also rejected claims that the Russians had captured Vovchansk.
- On 2 December, Putin said that if Europe "suddenly wants to fight and starts, we'll be ready at a moment's notice".
- On 11 December, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Russia does not plan to attack Europe and is prepared to record this "in writing in a legal document".
Background:
- In May, Putin informed his government officials via video link that a decision had been made to create a "security buffer zone" along the border with Ukraine.
- Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Russian leader's comments on creating a "buffer zone" only reinforce the fact that Russia is the obstacle to peace efforts.
- In August, Reuters reported that Putin is unlikely to agree to US President Donald Trump's ultimatum to make progress in ending the war in Ukraine, as he remains confident in the military strength of the Russian Armed Forces.
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