MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Russia would press on with its war in Ukraine unless Kyiv did a deal that took Moscow’s security concerns into account, adding that the goals of the “special military operation” would in any case be met.
Fielding questions from the public and the media at an event dominated by the war, Putin – who has announced he will seek another six-year presidential term in March – said his original goals in Ukraine had not changed and that Russian forces were improving their position along most of the front line.
Russia’s core goals remain “de-Nazification”, “de-militarisation” and securing Ukraine’s neutrality, he said.
“There will be peace when we achieve our goals,” said the 71-year-old veteran leader.
“As for de-militarisation, if they (the Ukrainians) don’t want to come to an agreement – well, then we are forced to take other measures, including military ones.
“Either we get an agreement, agree on certain parameters (on the size and strength of Ukraine’s military)… or we solve this by force. This is what we will strive for.”
Putin, who has cast himself as the right man to keep leading Russia through a war the West casts as an unprovoked colonial-style land grab, took questions at one point from Russian forces fighting near the frontline, with the sound of gunfire echoing in the background.
He also ruled out a further wave of military mobilisation, saying it was currently not needed.
“The flow of men ready to defend our homeland with arms in hand is not decreasing. Together with volunteers, there should be around half a million people. There is no need for mobilisation as of today,” said Putin.
(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Gareth Jones)