Putin: Russia Will Achieve Its Ukraine Goals Through Diplomacy or War

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, said during a high-level meeting with the leadership of his country’s Ministry of Defense that Moscow is prepared to resolve all recent issues through negotiation and peaceful means.

He stated that Russia’s objectives in Ukraine will be achieved either through diplomacy or by military force, and confirmed Russia’s intention to establish a “security buffer zone” inside Ukraine.

Putin declared: “The goals of the special military operation will undoubtedly be achieved. We would prefer to do this and address the root causes of the conflict through diplomacy. If the opposing side and their foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive discussions, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means.”

The Russian president also warned European leaders, claiming that Europeans have been misled by fear of war with Russia fueled by propaganda.

He emphasized that Russia does not seek war with Europe, but if Europe chooses that path, Moscow is ready to respond.

On the other side, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on his country’s allies to guarantee continued support for Kyiv and to demonstrate to Russia that continuing the war is futile.

Zelensky said: “We must understand Russia’s mindset and respond accordingly. When Russia acts with such intentions, it undermines diplomacy and tries to disguise its plans to destroy Ukraine and Ukrainians, and to seize our territory, behind diplomatic language and pressure on international documents. To counter this, we need both security and political solutions, including the use of Russian assets.”

Currently, Russia controls the entire Crimean Peninsula, about 90% of the Donbas region, and approximately 75% of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine.

As the war reaches a critical stage and U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for an immediate peace deal, Putin insists that Russian forces are advancing on all fronts.