Russian President Vladimir Putin.Photo: Sergei Guneyev/TASS/Getty
More than four months into its continued invasion of Ukraine, Russian PresidentVladimir Putinclaims his country hasonly just begunits fight, which began on Feb. 24 and has since led to countless deaths of both Ukrainians and Russians.
“Today we hear that they want to defeat us on the battlefield. What can you say, let them try,” Putin said in a Thursday speech, adding: “We have heard many times that the West wants to fight us to the last Ukrainian. This is a tragedy for the Ukrainian people, but it seems that everything is heading towards this.”
He did offer a caveat, however, saying that those who “reject” Russian offers “should know that the further it goes, the harder it will be for them to negotiate with us.”
Putin also offered a thinly veiled threat at those who he said “want to defeat us” on the battlefield: “Let them try.”
Russia has repeatedly denied targeting civilian sites in its ongoing invasion, though footage and on-the-ground accounts suggest otherwise.
Still, Russia’s offensive has shown numerous setbacks, with soldiers being met with fierce resistance from the Ukrainian people. Russia failed to capture the capital city of Kyiv or any other large cities early on its invasion of Ukraine, though it has taken control of many other parts of the country, engaging in what human rights organizations have deemed “war crimes” in the process.
The U.S., the European Union and Group of Seven countries haveannounced several punishmentsof Russia for the war, including some directed at the families of Putin and a few of his allies, cutting them off from any U.S. financial systems and freeing any assets they have within the U.S.
In his Thursday speech, Putin alleged the sanctions were aimed at “demoralizing” the Russian people, theAssociated Pressreports.
The invasion has drawn widespread condemnation around the world and increasingly severe economic sanctions against Russia.
Various countries have also pledged aid or military support to Ukraine, whose president, Zelenskyy, has pleaded for peace talks while urging his country to resist.
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source: people.com
