In reply to a question from TASS, Russian President Vladimir Putin underlined the advances being made by Russian forces on all fronts in Ukraine, noting that the longer the war goes on, the more territory will fall under Russian control. “Those in the West who understand the implications of all this are the ones insisting on ceasing the fighting as soon as possible, even if it requires concessions from the Kiev regime,” Putin said. Such realists understand that the Ukrainian armed forces will completely lose their combat capability, he said.
But then there are Americans with delusions that Ukraine can win, and who insist on continuing the fighting until the last Ukrainian is killed. “The ones attacking Mr. Witkoff are precisely those who align with this second point of view,” said Putin.
The Russian President reiterated that Zelenskyy is no longer the legitimate President. As soon as martial law is lifted, Putin said, “presidential elections must be held, a referendum must be held, and a new Constitutional Court must be formed.”
While Russia wants to work out a deal with Ukraine, “doing so right now is practically impossible, legally impossible,” due to the fact that Zelenskyy’s term as president has already officially ended.
