Madrid, 12 – Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russian forces continue to “gradually” advance into Ukrainian territory and announced an “intensification of attacks” against the country as the invasion of the territory, which began more than four years ago, progresses.
“Russian forces are making systematic advances daily and will be able to liberate all territories,” he specified, before stating that Moscow “will respond adequately” to the actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and their attacks against Russian regions located close to the border.
“We will respond. We will increase our attacks on enemy infrastructure to stop them from attacking our civilian installations”, assured the Russian leader, who stated that the military contingent in Ukraine exceeds 700 thousand soldiers, a “large grouping”, as reported by the TASS news agency.
In this sense, he emphasized that the country “every day expands its control to new territories in the zone”. “Step by step – not as fast as we would like -, but we advance every day. Gradually, we take control of our territories. And that will continue to be the case”, he clarified, not without first indicating that no one “should doubt that Russia will achieve its objectives”
Putin highlighted the importance of “advancing little by little” and assured that “no one will impose defeat on Russia”. “Our united people are aware of their responsibility towards future generations, towards our children and grandchildren”, he explained during a meeting with soldiers taking part in the invasion.
Furthermore, he assured that only the Russian people “have the ability to defend their country, strengthen it and create the conditions for its safe development” and recommended that enemies “not fight Russia or ever try to do so”. “Let us live amicably and resolve all issues through negotiations. But they must be negotiations, not ultimatums,” he noted.
However, he once again insisted that the country is willing to “maintain negotiations aimed at finding a solution to the conflict in Ukraine, as long as its national interests, both tactical and strategic, are taken into account”, statements similar to those made in the past.
“We are willing to negotiate, but only taking into account our national interests. And not just those of today, but also those of the future, conceived from a historical perspective”, he explained. From 2026, the negotiating teams of Russia and Ukraine held three rounds of consultations with the mediation of the United States.
