Russian President Vladimir Putin has clarified Moscow's stance on the Ukraine war, which has been ongoing for more than four years. Putin announced that they have rejected Ukraine's proposals to limit the use of long-range missiles and halt hostilities.
Speaking on Russian state television, Putin stated that Ukraine proposed a mutual halt to long-range strikes as a step toward peace. The Russian leader claimed that this proposal stemmed from the pressure Kyiv's forces are under along the approximately 1,250-kilometer front line.
Putin's tough messages
Putin said, "It is clear why this proposal was made; because our counterstrikes deep into Ukrainian territory are much stronger, have a greater impact, and frankly, are more destructive." The Russian leader added that the Ukrainian armed forces are suffering from a catastrophic personnel shortage and see this proposal as a lifeline, but saving the Kyiv administration is not part of his plans.
Ukrainian officials have not yet publicly responded to the Russian leader's statements, including Putin's claims that Kyiv sent a proposal to limit the use of long-range missiles.
Putin emphasizes air defense
Putin acknowledged that in recent months, Russia has had to increase its air defense capacity to counter Ukrainian drone strikes targeting the country's oil industry. According to the Russian leader, all attacks on infrastructure do not affect the situation on the front line. "They are trying to disrupt energy supplies and affect the tourism season," Putin said, emphasizing that Russia needs to rapidly increase the production of the most needed air defense systems.
Situation on the ground
Putin's remarks came at a time when Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the military struck the Slavyansk and Yaroslavl oil refineries in Russia with long-range drones. Russian officials reported a fire at the refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani and the death of one person.
Zelenskyy stated, "We continue our operations that weaken Russia's ability to wage this war." Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy facilities have gained momentum in recent weeks. Last week, the Kerch oil facility in Crimea and the Port Kavkaz oil facility in Krasnodar were also hit by long-range drones.
In Russia's attacks on Ukraine, at least four people were killed on Sunday. Two of the victims were in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, and the other two were in the northeastern city of Kharkiv.
Peace talks at an impasse
Diplomatic efforts to end the war, which U.S. President Donald Trump promised upon beginning his second term in January 2025, have yet to yield results. Ceasefire talks have largely stalled due to Russia's insistence on holding onto the territories it has captured in Ukraine. Ukraine, for its part, says it is not ready to make any territorial concessions.
Ian Lesser, an expert at the German Marshall Fund, noted that Russia sees its own long-range strike capability as a deterrent, and it is not surprising that Putin wants to maintain his superiority on this front. According to Lesser, Putin's rejection of limiting long-range missiles is another indication of his unwillingness to engage in serious negotiations to end or limit the war, at least under current conditions.
