Putin: Russia will accomplish Ukraine goals through force if Kyiv rejects peace

Reuters reported the information.

Putin's comments, reported by state news agency TASS, came in the wake of a massive Russian drone and missile barrage that Zelenskyy characterized as evidence of Moscow's determination to prolong the war. "Ukraine was in no hurry for peace," Putin claimed, adding that if Kyiv would not resolve the conflict peacefully, "Moscow would accomplish all its goals by force."

The Russian leader's remarks set a combative tone ahead of Zelenskyy's scheduled Sunday meeting with Trump in Florida, where the Ukrainian president hopes to secure a path toward ending the war that began nearly four years ago with Russia's full-scale invasion. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Putin's statements.

During an inspection visit, Russian military commanders briefed Putin on territorial gains, claiming Moscow's forces had seized several towns in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region—including Myrnohrad, Rodynske, and Artemivka—as well as Huliaipole and Stepnohirsk in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to a Kremlin statement on Telegram.

Ukraine's military sharply disputed Russia's claims regarding Huliaipole and Myrnohrad, calling them "false statements." The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff acknowledged the situation in both locations remains "difficult" but insisted "defensive operations" by Ukrainian forces continue. Ukraine's Southern Command reported "fierce fighting" ongoing in Huliaipole, emphasizing that "a substantial part of Huliaipole continues to be held by the Defence Forces of Ukraine."

Independent verification of battlefield developments remains challenging due to restricted access, tightly controlled information flow, and rapidly shifting front lines, with journalists relying on satellite imagery and geolocated footage that may be incomplete or outdated.