Putin warns Russia will seek to extend its gains in Ukraine if peace talks fail

Russian President Putin warned on Wednesday that Moscow will seek to extend its gains in Ukraine if Kyiv and its Western allies reject the Kremlin's demands in peace talks. US President Trump has unleashed an extensive diplomatic push to end nearly four years of fighting following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in Feb 2022, but Washington's efforts have run into sharply conflicting demands by Moscow and Kyiv.

Speaking at an annual meeting with top military officers, Putin said Moscow would prefer to achieve its goals and "eliminate the root causes of the conflict" by diplomatic means, but he added that "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."




Ukraine and its Western allies regards Russia's actions as a violation of its sovereignty and an unprovoked act of aggression. Putin claimed that "the Russian army has seized and is firmly holding strategic initiative all along the front line" and warned that Moscow will move to expand a "buffer security zone" alongside the Russian border. "Our troops are different now, they are battle-hardened and there is no other such army in the world now," he said.

Putin praised Russia's growing military might and particularly noted the modernisation of its atomic arsenal, including the new nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile that he said will enter combat duty this month. His remarks follow talks this week between Ukrainian, US, and European officials on a US-drafted plan. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said after meeting in Berlin that the document could be finalised within days. AP