Russian President Vladimir Putin has clarified Moscow's stance on the war in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for more than four years. Putin announced that they have rejected Ukraine's proposals to limit the use of long-range missiles and halt hostilities.
Speaking on Russian state television, Putin stated that Ukraine had proposed a mutual halt to long-range strikes as a step toward peace. The Russian leader suggested that this offer stemmed from the pressure Kyiv's forces are under along the roughly 1,250-kilometer front line.
Tough messages from Putin
Putin said, "It is clear why this proposal was made; because our counterstrikes deep into Ukrainian territory are much stronger, have a greater impact, and are frankly more destructive." The Russian leader added that the Ukrainian armed forces are suffering from a severe personnel shortage and see this proposal as a lifeline, but saving the Kyiv administration is not part of their plans.
Ukrainian officials have not yet publicly responded to the Russian leader's statements, including Putin's claims that Kyiv had sent a proposal to limit the use of long-range missiles.
Putin emphasizes air defense
Putin admitted that in recent months, Russia has had to increase its air defense capacity to counter Ukrainian drone strikes targeting its oil industry. According to the Russian leader, all attacks on infrastructure do not significantly affect the situation on the front line. "They are trying to disrupt energy supplies and affect the tourism season," Putin said, stressing that Russia needs to rapidly increase production of the most needed air defense systems.
Situation on the ground
Putin's remarks came at a time when Ukraine has intensified its strikes against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the military had struck the Slavyansk and Yaroslavl oil refineries in Russia using long-range drones. Russian officials reported a fire at the refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani and said one person was killed.
Zelenskyy stated, "We are continuing our operations that weaken Russia's ability to wage this war." Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy facilities have gained momentum in recent weeks. Last week, the Kerch facility in Crimea and the Port Kavkaz oil facility in Krasnodar were also hit by long-range drones.
In Russia's attacks on Ukraine, at least four people were killed on Sunday. Two of the victims were in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, and two others were in the northeastern city of Kharkiv.
Peace talks at an impasse
Diplomatic efforts carried out with the promise of ending the war since US President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025 have yet to yield results. Ceasefire talks have reached an impasse, largely due to Russia's insistence on holding onto the territories it has captured in Ukraine. Ukraine says it is not ready to make any territorial concessions.
Ian Lesser, an expert at the German Marshall Fund, noted that Russia sees its own long-range strike capability as a deterrent and said it is not surprising that Putin wants to maintain his advantage on this front. According to Lesser, Putin's rejection of limiting long-range missiles is another indicator of his unwillingness to engage in serious negotiations to end or limit the war, at least under current conditions.
