‘Will accomplish through military means’: Putin warns Ukraine of force if Kyiv refuses peace talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Ukraine that Moscow would resort to military means if Kyiv refuses to engage in peace talks, reiterating that Russia remains committed to achieving its objectives amid the ongoing war.
New Delhi: Amid a series of strikes conducted by the Russian army in Kyiv, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Ukraine was in no hurry to end the long-standing war, which has been ravaging both nations. Referring to the ongoing conflict, Putin asserted that Russia would achieve its objectives if Ukraine refused to engage in peace talks. The Russian president reiterated that the situation remains unchanged from a year ago, when he had held discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said Ukraine continues to carry the same mindset regarding peace negotiations. "If the Kyiv authorities do not want to resolve the matter peacefully, we will accomplish all the tasks before us in the course of the special military operation by military means," Putin was quoted as saying by the TASS News Agency.
This development comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to travel to Florida for a meeting with US President Donald Trump on Sunday. According to Zelenskyy, Russia’s recent onslaught reflects Moscow’s intention to prolong the war, even as Kyiv has consistently expressed its desire for peace. The Ukrainian leader added that Ukrainian forces had sabotaged Moscow’s attempts to advance in the vicinity of Myrnohrad and Huliaipole.
How will the 20-point plan impact the conflict?
The upcoming meeting is expected to discuss a new 20-point plan aimed at achieving peace between the two nations. The proposed negotiations would require Ukraine to pull back troops from eastern regions and allow the creation of demilitarised buffer zones, according to details revealed by Zelenskyy earlier this week.
Ahead of the meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy consulted several allies, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, and other European leaders, who extended their "full support,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.
However, Trump on Friday indicated that he is not in a hurry to accept Zelenskyy’s proposal. "He doesn’t have anything until I approve it. So we’ll see what he’s got,” Trump told Politico.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov accused Kyiv of systematically attempting to sabotage the US-brokered peace process. He added that this applies to any peace plan in which the US and Russia hold an upper hand.
How deadly was the recent attack?
The Ukraine-Russia war has been ongoing for nearly eight years. According to the latest developments, at least two people were killed and 46 others—including two children—were injured in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. Russian forces launched a massive attack involving hundreds of missiles and drones ahead of President Zelenskyy’s meeting with US President Donald Trump to work out a plan to end nearly four years of full-scale war.