Russia Will Pursue Ukraine Goals by Force or Diplomacy, Putin Says

Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered a stern message to European leaders, reiterating Moscow’s unwavering stance in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Speaking at the annual meeting of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday evening, Putin asserted that Russia will achieve its objectives in Ukraine by any means necessary—whether through diplomacy or military force.

Putin’s remarks came as efforts by the United States, led by former President Donald Trump, to broker a ceasefire have so far yielded little tangible progress. The Russian leader accused previous U.S. administrations of deliberately creating the conditions for the conflict, asserting that if Ukraine refuses constructive negotiations, Moscow will reclaim what it considers historic territories by force.

Turning his attention to European leaders, Putin criticised their alignment with former U.S. policies, alleging that “Europe’s small actors quickly joined hands with Washington, expecting to benefit from our country’s decline.” The comments underscore ongoing tensions between Russia and Western powers over the war’s trajectory and Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials recently stated that talks in Berlin between European leaders, Ukraine, and Washington had resolved approximately 90 per cent of the issues related to a potential peace agreement. However, the two most contentious matters—the withdrawal of territories and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant—remain unresolved, with Moscow and Kyiv at an impasse.

Central to the negotiations is Russia’s insistence on control over the Donbas region, which comprises Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine and is largely under Russian occupation. Kyiv, however, refuses to cede the territory. President Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that no decisions regarding Donbas can be made without the consent of the Ukrainian people.

The Berlin talks also included proposals to bolster Ukraine’s post-war security, including increasing the country’s military capacity and the potential deployment of European forces. These proposals are to be presented to Moscow by the United States, though it remains uncertain whether Putin will accept them.

In response to the ongoing conflict, President Zelensky urged European allies to maintain support for Ukraine and emphasised the “futility” of the war, calling on Europe to help Ukraine secure genuine protection against Russian aggression. In a statement on the messaging app Telegram, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine would continue working with allies to safeguard its people from Moscow’s escalating actions.

Key Points – Russia-Ukraine Conflict, June 2025