Ukraine War to Continue Until Zelensky Accepts a Deal: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the conflict with Ukraine would continue unless an agreement is reached with Kyiv.

Zelensky continues to lead under martial law, which allows him to remain in office beyond his expired term in line with the constitution. (Photo: Володимир Зеленський Facebook)

“If we do not succeed in reaching an agreement on Ukraine, then we will achieve our goals by military means,” Putin said, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) reported.

Speaking in Beijing, Putin projected confidence in victory, claiming Russian troops are “successfully advancing everywhere on the front.” He said Ukrainian reserves are exhausted.

While Russian troops have made slow gains in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv has mounted counterattacks that recaptured several towns and villages in recent weeks.

Putin also questioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s legitimacy to conduct negotiations, repeating his argument that Zelensky’s regular term of office expired last year.

Zelensky continues to lead under martial law, which allows him to remain in office beyond his expired term in line with the constitution. Putin, by contrast, redrew Russia’s constitution to allow himself to remain in power indefinitely.