President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that Russia was just getting started in Ukraine and dared the West to defeat it on the battlefield while reiterating Moscow’s willingness to engage in peace talks.
Putin stated in a belligerent speech to legislative leaders, more than four months into the war, that the likelihood of negotiations diminishes as the fight drags on.
Putin Said Russia Is Just Beginning in Ukraine, and Peace Talks Will Become More Difficult!
“We have learned that they intend to defeat us on the battlefield. What can you say? Let them attempt it “he said.
“We have often heard that the West intends to fight until the last Ukrainian falls. This is a tragedy for the Ukrainian people, but it appears that this was inevitable.”
Russia accuses the West of waging a proxy war against it by slamming its economy with sanctions and increasing the supply of sophisticated weaponry to Ukraine.
Putin also hinted at the potential of dialogue while boasting that Russia was just beginning to get its stride.
“Everyone should be aware that we have not yet begun anything in earnest,” he added. “Nonetheless, we do not reject peace discussions. Those who reject them should be aware that the longer the conflict continues, the more difficult it will be for them to engage with us.”
It was the first mention of diplomacy in many weeks, following Moscow’s frequent assertions that dialogue with Kyiv had completely broken down.
Since invading Ukraine on February 24, the Russian military has conquered significant portions of the country, including the eastern region of Luhansk on Sunday.
However, their advance has been much slower than many experts projected, and their initial attempts to capture the capital, Kyiv, and the second city, Kharkiv, were unsuccessful.
Prospects for compromise remain remote as Ukraine, encouraged by Western support and the severe losses it has inflicted on its adversary in terms of both soldiers and equipment, has spoken of expelling Russia from all captured territory.
Mykhailo Podolyak, the main negotiator for Ukraine, scoffed at Putin’s claim that the West had a plot aimed at Russia.
“There is no strategy for a “collective West.” Only a particular Z-army invaded sovereign Ukraine, shelled cities, and murdered citizens “Podolyak tweeted. “The remainder is crude propaganda. Therefore, Mr. Putin’s credo of ‘war to the last Ukrainian’ is further evidence of Russian genocide.”
This week, Podolyak stated on Twitter that the prerequisites for Ukraine to resume negotiations would include: “Arms ceasefire.
There is a Z-troops withdrawal. The return of abducted citizens. Expulsion of war criminals from the country. Recompense mechanism. Recognize Ukraine’s sovereign rights.”
Putin stated that it was evident that Western sanctions were causing problems, but that this was not what the initiators of the economic blitzkrieg against Russia had anticipated.
Parliamentary leaders replied to Putin’s remarks, with Sergei Mironov of the A Just Russia party urging him to establish a special agency to facilitate the absorption of occupied Ukrainian territory into Russia – a proposal that Putin pledged to consider.