Putin: Continuing the Current War Pattern Means the Destruction of Ukraine

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, warned on Tuesday that if the current pattern of war continues, the existence of Ukraine as a country and the Ukrainian government may suffer an 'irreparable blow.' Putin made his remarks one day after Switzerland agreed to host a 'Global Peace Summit' and in response to a request from Volodymyr Zelensky. He stated that Russia will never relinquish its gains. Putin also rejected what has been termed 'peace formulas' and 'deterrent demands' being negotiated in the West and Ukraine. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, also dismissed the peace talks in Davos, Switzerland, noting that without Russia's participation, there would be no movement towards resolution. While Russia occupies seventeen and a half percent of Ukrainian territory, Putin claims that 'not only has the Ukrainian counteroffensive failed, but the initiative is completely in the hands of the Russian army, and if this trend continues, the Ukrainian government may suffer an irreparable blow.' Reuters reports that Putin's statements regarding the war have become increasingly confident and aggressive in recent months, particularly following the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive. While Zelensky calls for the territorial integrity of Ukraine, a ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Russian forces, Putin asserts that talks of negotiation 'mean abandoning the gains that Russia has achieved over the past year and a half, which is impossible.' Earlier, Joe Biden, the President of the United States, in response to Russian missile attacks on various regions of Ukraine, described these attacks as 'clear evidence' of Vladimir Putin's commitment to the destruction of Ukraine and stated that he 'must be stopped.' Biden remarked, 'This is a serious reminder to the world that after nearly two years of this devastating war, Putin's goal remains unchanged, and he seeks to destroy Ukraine and subjugate its people; he must be stopped.' Zelensky praised U.S. support for Ukraine during a meeting with Blinken and Sullivan, and at Zelensky's request, Switzerland will host the peace summit for Ukraine.