Russian diplomat Rodion Miroshnik said Thursday that Russia must prepare for a prolonged war in Ukraine, as a settlement is not achievable in the foreseeable future, according to an interview with TASS. He accused the West of blocking peace talks and betting on the conflict's continuation.
Russian diplomat Rodion Miroshnik, the Foreign Ministry's special envoy, said in an interview with TASS on Thursday that Russia must be prepared for a prolonged war in Ukraine, as a settlement is not achievable in the foreseeable future. 'The West has chosen to bet on the continuation of the conflict and the complete rejection of ways to reach a peace settlement,' Miroshnik said. 'All attempts to conduct dialogue encounter the unyielding will of the Europeans to thwart any possibility of reaching agreements.' He added that Europe will continue to fund Ukraine, so Russia must prepare for a protracted military campaign with a calculated strategy.
The statement echoes earlier remarks by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who on July 9 said Moscow intends to continue the war until achieving the goals outlined by President Vladimir Putin in June 2024. Those goals, as stated by Putin, include the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, international recognition of those areas and Crimea as part of Russia, Ukraine's renunciation of NATO membership, and 'demilitarization' and 'denazification' of Ukraine.
The Zioneer's coverage has documented Russia's hardening position on peace talks, including Putin's rejection of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in June 2026 and a security assessment in July 2026 assessing that Putin is likely to escalate the war.
- StrongSecurity assessment: Putin likely to escalate war in Ukraine, reject peace negotiations
- DevelopingUK military chiefs warn of limited capacity for prolonged war with Russia
- DevelopingKremlin says no quick resumption of Ukraine talks, demands five cities
- DevelopingZelensky warns Russia preparing large-scale attack within 48 hours, new mobilization
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