Putin once again downplayed the recent claims by the US and Ukraine that peace negotiations have "made progress," and issued a strong warning to the West. According to Associated Press, Putin said in a speech to Russian military officers that if the West refuses to accept Russia's proposed conditions, Russia will expand its presence in the relevant region to protect its own interests. Putin stated that Russia still prefers to resolve the conflict through diplomatic means, but only if the opponent and their "foreign supporters" are willing to engage in "substantial dialogue." He warned that if the relevant parties refuse to negotiate, Russia will achieve what it calls the "liberation of historical territories" through military means, adding further uncertainty to an already tense situation.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851823043286025/
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