Robert Gates, former United States Secretary of Defense, stated in an interview with CBS’s “Face the Nation” that Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to accept any peace agreement in Ukraine unless he achieves his long-term goal of restoring the Russian Empire.
“In my personal belief — after decades of working with Russia and the Soviet Union — Putin sees his historical mission as the re-establishment of the Russian Empire,” Gates asserted.
The remarks come just one day after new rounds of talks in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian delegations ended without progress, highlighting entrenched positions on both sides.
According to Gates and international analysts, Russia remains firm in its conditions for any potential peace:
- The weakening of Ukraine’s military capabilities,
- The establishment of a pro-Russian government in Kyiv,
- The surrender of occupied territories.
“Ukraine is pivotal to Putin’s plan for reasserting imperial Russian influence,” Gates emphasized.
Meanwhile, the international community continues to wrestle with how to respond to the ongoing war and Moscow’s persistent demands, as diplomatic and military tensions escalate across Europe.
