Putin rejects Ukraine truce, vows to continue war

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that Moscow will press on with its military aims to seize full control of four Ukrainian regions annexed in 2022, regardless of any proposals from Kyiv to de-escalate hostilities. In a state television interview, Putin asserted that Russia's military strikes deep into Ukrainian territory are becoming "stronger and more destructive," suggesting this is why Ukraine seeks to limit them.

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Russia will continue its military objective to take full control of the four Ukrainian regions it annexed in 2022.

Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure have led to fuel shortages in several regions. However, he maintained that the situation is under control and called for an acceleration in the production of air defense systems amid intensified Ukrainian strikes. The Russian leader reiterated that the primary objective remains the "complete liberation" of Donbas and the southern regions Moscow refers to as "Novorossiya."

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Ukraine's drone attacks on oil infrastructure have caused fuel shortages in several regions of Russia.

The Russian president again rejected the idea of a direct meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had recently proposed one in an open letter. Putin expressed expectations for a resumption of U.S.-mediated discussions, anticipating a calming of the conflict between Washington and Tehran. He confirmed that past talks with then-U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska did not yield a formal agreement but explored "possible solutions" to end the war. Putin also mentioned Belarus's potential role in future negotiations following discussions with President Aleksandr Lukashenko, without commenting on Kyiv's accusations that Moscow is trying to involve Belarus more deeply in the conflict.

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Our military strikes in the depths of Ukrainian territory are 'stronger and more destructive.'