Russias Stance on Ukraine: Military Action Looms if Peace Talks Falter

President Vladimir Putin indicated on Wednesday that there might be «light at the end of the tunnel» in the ongoing negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine. However, he tempered this note of optimism by asserting that Russian forces would continue their operations if diplomatic efforts fail to achieve peace.

During a press conference held under the moonlight in Beijing, following a Chinese military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, Putin adopted his typical blend of defiance and cautious openness.

“If reason prevails, we should be able to find a mutually acceptable way to conclude the conflict—that is my expectation,” he shared with Russian journalists. “Especially since we recognize the approach of the Trump administration, which appears to reflect a genuine intent to seek a resolution, beyond mere rhetoric.”

“We will observe how developments unfold,” Putin remarked. “If that fails to materialize, we will have to pursue our goals through military force.”

The military parade in Beijing, along with an annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in Tianjin prior to it, has been interpreted by various analysts as a demonstration of resistance against U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” approach to foreign policy.

These events brought together over two dozen leaders from a variety of nations that have challenged or questioned American dominance on the global stage.

On Wednesday, Putin stated that any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine would necessitate what he referred to as the “legitimacy” of Kyiv’s leadership, implying that Ukrainian authorities should hold a referendum, which he argued could not take place during martial law.

The Russian president has persistently questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, characterizing the Kyiv authorities as drug-addicted neo-Nazis. In March, Putin claimed that “democratic elections” in Ukraine could only occur under temporary external oversight by the UN and the United States.

In Beijing, Putin also asserted that Russia would not entertain any security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a potential territorial exchange, something that some analysts speculate may be part of a peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv.

“Security guarantees are essential—every country deserves them, including Ukraine,” he stated. “However, these do not correlate with territorial exchanges. Our fight is not primarily about land, but about human rights.”

These statements were made amid ongoing European discussions where France and Britain are spearheading a so-called “coalition of the willing” — an informal alliance of Western nations promising to provide security assurances to Ukraine following a settlement with Russia. Yet, specifics regarding these potential guarantees remain unclear, and Trump has dismissed the idea of Ukraine joining NATO.

During Wednesday’s press conference, Putin painted an optimistic picture of Russia’s military advancements in eastern Ukraine, despite analysts noting that Moscow’s recent incremental progress has come at a significant cost in terms of soldiers’ lives.

“All divisions of Russia’s armed forces are successfully advancing in all directions,” the president remarked.

At the same time, he sought to counter Western interpretations of the Beijing military parade, as well as the annual SCO summit, as a bold display of anti-Western solidarity, labeling the meetings as productive.

“For four days, there was nothing that could be described as ‘confrontational,’” Putin noted. “We are not looking to outmaneuver or outsmart anyone; we are focused on how to best organize our efforts.”

On Tuesday, Trump accused Russia, China, and North Korea of “conspiring” against the United States in a post on his Truth Social platform.

“The U.S. president has a sense of humor,” Putin replied when asked about Trump’s claims, adding that during his time in Beijing, “no one expressed negative sentiments towards the current American administration.”