Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that he hopes peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will continue and that working groups could discuss possible compromises. However, he emphasized that Moscow’s objectives remain unchanged.
Speaking one week before the deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump—demanding that Russia agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face new sanctions, including against countries purchasing Russian energy—Putin gave no indication of any shift in Moscow’s position, Reuters reports.
He noted that if anyone is disappointed with the outcome of peace talks so far, it is due to overly high expectations.
Putin added that Russian forces are attacking Ukraine along the entire front line and that the momentum is in their favor. He cited a Thursday statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense claiming that Moscow’s troops had captured the Ukrainian city of Chasiv Yar after a 16-month battle.
However, Ukrainian officials denied that Chasiv Yar is under full Russian control.
