Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning to the West and Ukraine on Thursday, saying the war could drag on until “the last Ukrainian is left standing”.
“Today we hear that they want to defeat us on the battlefield. Well, what can I say? Let them try,” Putin said during a meeting with the leaders of the State Duma’s party factions.
Putin also blamed the West for “encouraging and justifying the genocide against the people of Donbas”.
“We are not rejecting peace negotiations but those who refuse should know that the longer the conflict continues, the more difficult it will be for them to negotiate with us,” Putin said.
The eastern Donbass region has become the focal point of Putin’s military ambitions in Ukraine after his troops failed to capture Kiev earlier this year.
