Vladimir Putin declared on Wednesday that Russia will achieve its objectives in Ukraine by any means, diplomatic or military, and that it will attempt to extend the “buffer security zone” in this country.
“Firstly, the objectives of the special military operation will undoubtedly be achieved. We would prefer to do this and address the deep causes of the conflict through diplomacy,” Putin stated.
“If the opposing side and its foreign supporters refuse to engage in substantial discussions, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical territories through military means. The task of creating and expanding a buffer security zone will also be consistently addressed,” he affirmed at an extended meeting of the Ministry of Defense Council, reports News.
Among the regions of Ukraine that Russia claims as its own territory, it currently controls Crimea, about 90% of the Donbas region, and 75% of Kherson and Zaporizhia.
In addition, Russia holds a part of the territory of neighboring regions Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv.
Putin’s comments signal that Moscow will seek to gain additional territorial gains on some of these fronts, notes Reuters.