What is the story about?
Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday warned that Moscow could expand its territorial control in Ukraine if ongoing
peace efforts fail to address Russia’s conditions, signalling that the Kremlin remains prepared to rely on military force if diplomacy stalls, ANI reported.
Preference for negotiations, but with conditions
Speaking at an annual meeting with senior military commanders, Putin said Russia prefers a negotiated settlement to the conflict and reiterated the need to address what he described as the “root causes” of the crisis. However, he cautioned that a lack of meaningful dialogue would prompt a tougher response from Moscow, according to ANI.“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,” Putin said, as quoted by ANI.
Diplomatic efforts intensify amid ongoing war
The remarks come as international diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, have intensified. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that a settlement was “closer than ever” following high-level talks in Berlin, though significant differences remain unresolved, ANI reported.Discussions involving the United States, Ukraine and European leaders have focused on security guarantees and territorial issues. European leaders have backed strong, US-supported security assurances for Ukraine, while stopping short of endorsing NATO membership.
Military situation and strategic claims
Despite renewed diplomatic momentum, gaps between Moscow and Kyiv remain substantial. Putin said Russian forces continue to hold the “strategic initiative” along the entire front line and indicated that Russia plans to expand a buffer security zone along its border. He also described Russian troops as highly experienced and battle-ready.Ukraine and its Western allies have rejected these claims, describing Russia’s actions as an unprovoked violation of Ukrainian sovereignty.
Nuclear arsenal and missile capabilities
Putin also highlighted Russia’s expanding military capabilities, including the modernisation of its nuclear arsenal. He said the nuclear-capable Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile would formally enter combat duty this month. A conventionally armed version was tested in November 2024 during a strike on a Ukrainian industrial facility, which Putin claimed could not be intercepted.The comments followed multiple rounds of talks this week between Ukrainian, American and European officials on a US-drafted peace proposal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after meeting US envoys in Berlin that the document could be finalised within days and then presented to Moscow.
Putin has repeatedly demanded international recognition of Russian control over Crimea, annexed in 2014, and territories occupied in four eastern and southern Ukrainian regions. He has also called for Ukrainian troops to withdraw from areas still under Kyiv’s control. Zelenskyy has rejected these demands, while saying Ukraine could consider shelving its NATO bid in exchange for robust security guarantees, ANI said.
