Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Pieskov dismissed a claim by an unnamed U.S. intelligence agency that President Vladimir Putin intends to take control of all of Ukraine and parts of Europe, on December 22.
Pieskov Denies U.S. Intelligence Claim
On Monday, December 22, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Pieskov rejected conclusions of an unofficial U.S. intelligence report that suggested President Vladimir Putin planned to seize control of all of Ukraine and parts of Europe that had previously belonged to the Soviet Union. Pieskov stated that such claims are based on flawed analysis and are absolutely false, according to TASS.
Putin Wants to ‘Liberate Historical Lands’
Kremlin officials have said that Putin intends to “liberate historical lands,” referring to the regions Russia occupies in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, claiming they belong to Russia.
Russia Controls 20% of Ukraine and Crimea
Russia currently occupies roughly 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory, including parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea. The Kremlin maintains that these areas are Russian territory and refuses to conclude an agreement until they are handed back to Ukraine.
Quigley Notes Putin’s Expanded Ambitions
In an interview with Reuters, Democratic House Intelligence Committee member Mike Quigley said that U.S. intelligence has always indicated that Putin seeks more. He added that Europeans and Poles are convinced of this view.
Putin Signals Military Measures if Talks Stall
On December 17, the Russian president announced that if substantive talks with Ukraine and the West fail, Russia would use military means to free its historical lands.
