According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the West can safely try to defeat its country militarily. “Today we hear that they want to defeat us on the battlefield,” Putin said in a televised address to high-ranking lawmakers. “What can I say, let them try.” It was also repeatedly said that the West wanted to “fight us to the last Ukrainian”. This is a tragedy for the Ukrainian people, “but it seems that everything is leading to this”.
Russia is just getting started in Ukraine, Putin said in a combative speech. According to Putin, the prospects for negotiations will get darker the longer the conflict lasts.
“Everyone should know that, in general, we haven’t really started yet,” he added. “At the same time, we are not opposed to peace negotiations. But those who oppose them should know: the further away, the more difficult it will be to negotiate with us.” (R, red.)