No peace until Kyiv accepts Russia’s terms, Putin says

The goals of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have not changed, and there can be no peace until they are achieved, President Vladimir Putin has said.

Speaking during his annual televised media briefing on Thursday, Mr Putin reaffirmed Russia’s aim to bring about the “denazification, demilitarisation and neutral status” of Ukraine, adding: “There will be peace when we achieve our goals.”

Mr Putin has repeatedly claimed Ukraine’s government is heavily influenced by radical nationalist and neo-Nazi groups – an allegation derided by Ukraine and the West.

At the briefing, which ran for more than four hours, the Russian leader said: “As for demilitarisation, if they don’t want to come to an agreement, then we are forced to take other measures, including military ones. Or we will agree to certain terms.”

Asked whether a second round of conscription was necessary, Mr Putin said Russia had about 617,000 troops in Ukraine, including about 244,000 of the original 300,000 conscripts. “There is no need for mobilisation as of today,” he added.

His comments came days after US intelligence revealed nine out of 10 Russian soldiers from the original invasion force have been either killed or wounded.

Moscow has also lost two thirds of its main battle tanks and a third of its infantry fighting vehicles.

Mr Putin claimed Russia was making progress on the front line, which has barely moved in the past year.

“Our armed forces are improving their position on almost the entire line of contact,” he said.

“The situation of our troops is improving throughout.”