Kremlin spokesman Dmitrij Peskov acknowledges Russia’s war objectives have not been achieved on the fourth anniversary of the conflict with Ukraine.
KREMLIN’S POSITION ON THE WAR
Kremlin spokesman Dmitrij Peskov, cited by Russian agency RIA Novosti, called the occupation of Ukrainian territory “ensuring security for people who lived and continue to live in eastern Ukraine.” However, he admitted that the war objectives have not been fully achieved, therefore the “special military operation” is continuing.
RUSSIA’S STANCE ON NEGOTIATIONS
Peskov stated that hope for resolving the conflict through negotiations has not left Russia since the beginning, claiming their position is clear and consistent. He added that now everything depends on the actions of the regime in Kyiv.
RUSSIAN FORCES ADVANCE SLOWLY
Contrary to Peskov’s claims, Russia shows no willingness to end the conflict peacefully, as Ukraine is attacked daily. Negotiations involving the United States have not yet brought a breakthrough.
According to George Barros, head of the Russia team at the American think tank ISW, Putin has worked hard to convince the world that Ukraine’s defeat is inevitable, despite it not being the case. Barros noted that Putin’s greatest success was in the narrative battle rather than on the front line.
ANALYST CRITICIZES RUSSIAN MILITARY PROGRESS
Barros pointed out that Putin and his entourage mask the fact that Russian forces are advancing at a snail’s pace, achieving minimal gains for enormous costs. In 2025, Russia occupied only 0.8 percent of Ukraine’s territory, far below typical indicators in modern mechanized warfare.
He added that even some of the most infamous trench battles of World War II showed faster progress than what Russia is achieving now. Barros noted that Ukraine’s situation on the battlefield is difficult but not critical.
ZELSKY’S ADDRESS ON WAR ANNIVERSARY
On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to the European Parliament, stating: “We never chose this war. We did not start it or provoke it. We are doing everything in our power to stop it.”
ZELSKY CRITICIZES RUSSIAN IMPERIALISM
Zelensky emphasized that this is not the first time in Ukraine’s history that Moscow has come to Europe with an “extremely cruel, ruthless, anti-European project.” He added that Putin’s Russia started with the war in Chechnya, then moved to Georgia, and openly disdains the independence of all neighbors except China and North Korea.
The Ukrainian president noted that Russian troops have destroyed life in Syria and African countries, causing an influx of migrants to Europe. He also criticized Russia for supporting the regime in Iran while ignoring countless murders.