Moscow signals escalation as Ukraine disputes battlefield claims; Zelenskyy seeks U.S. backing amid renewed attacks
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning that Moscow will pursue its objectives in Ukraine by force if Kyiv does not agree to a peaceful settlement, underscoring the hardening tone from the Kremlin nearly four years into the war.
Speaking during an inspection visit with senior military commanders, Putin said Ukraine was in “no hurry for peace” and accused Kyiv of prolonging the conflict. His remarks, carried by Russia’s state news agency TASS, came hours after Russia launched one of its largest combined drone and missile attacks in recent weeks, targeting multiple Ukrainian regions.
“If the other side does not want to resolve the issue peacefully, we will achieve our goals by force,” Putin was quoted as saying, reiterating Moscow’s long-standing position that its objectives in Ukraine remain unchanged.
Kyiv rejects Russian narrative
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushed back sharply, saying the scale and intensity of the overnight attacks demonstrated that Russia had no genuine interest in ending the war.
“Russia is showing, once again, that it wants to continue the war,” Zelenskyy said in a statement, adding that Ukraine remained committed to pursuing peace but would not accept terms imposed under fire.
Zelenskyy is expected to meet Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday as part of a renewed diplomatic push to secure international backing and explore possible pathways toward ending the conflict. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Putin’s latest remarks.
Disputed gains on the battlefield
According to the Kremlin, Russian commanders briefed Putin that Moscow’s forces had captured several towns in eastern and southern Ukraine, including Myrnohrad, Rodynske and Artemivka in the Donetsk region, as well as Huliaipole and Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia.
Ukraine’s military swiftly rejected those claims. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said assertions regarding Huliaipole and Myrnohrad were “false statements,” emphasizing that Ukrainian troops continue to hold defensive positions in the areas.
“The situation remains difficult, but defensive operations are ongoing,” the General Staff said in a statement posted on social media.
Ukraine’s Southern Command added that “fierce fighting” was continuing in Huliaipole, noting that a significant portion of the town remains under Ukrainian control.
Fog of war deepens
As with many claims throughout the conflict, independent verification has proven difficult. Access to front-line areas remains heavily restricted, information from both sides is tightly managed, and territorial control can shift rapidly. Media outlets and analysts often rely on satellite imagery and geolocated video footage, which may be incomplete or delayed.
Military analysts say Russia’s recent rhetoric, combined with intensified strikes, suggests Moscow is attempting to strengthen its negotiating position by demonstrating battlefield momentum—even as Ukraine disputes those gains.
A widening diplomatic gap
Putin’s comments highlight the widening gap between Moscow and Kyiv on what peace might look like. Russia continues to demand recognition of territories it claims to have annexed, while Ukraine insists on the restoration of its full territorial integrity and international security guarantees.
“This war will not end through threats alone,” a senior Ukrainian official said privately. “Peace requires sincerity, not missiles.”
As diplomatic efforts continue in parallel with military operations, the coming weeks are likely to test whether international mediation can narrow the divide—or whether the conflict will enter yet another prolonged and more destructive phase.
