Russia has warned that military operations in Ukraine will continue if achieving its goals through peaceful means proves impossible. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Moscow’s position in an interview with Russian media, responding to a question about what would happen if Kiev refuses the terms of a peaceful agreement.

Specifically, Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said that Russia will continue to strike Ukraine if efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully fail. Peskov stressed that Russian forces are highly dynamic and ready to proceed to achieve their goals in any way necessary.

“The military operation will continue,” Peskov said, stressing that Russia is determined to protect its interests by any means should the peaceful route fail. He also reiterated that Russia’s position remains unchanged since the Alaska summit, where the fundamental terms of the negotiations were set. “Our position is clear and has not changed since the Alaska summit,” he said.

Referring to peaceful negotiations, Peskov noted that Russia remains open to dialogues and is ready to negotiate with the aim of reaching an agreement. “Of course, we are prepared to be flexible in the search for a solution. We remain open to negotiations and are interested in continuing them, starting serious work on the basis of the plan prepared by (US President Donald) Trump’s team,” Peskov said.

Open possibility of Putin meeting with Trump

The possibility of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump meeting in the near future is open, the Russian president’s adviser Yuri Usakov has left open, sparking a new round of interest around Russian-American diplomatic contacts.

Answering a reporter’s question about whether a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump could take place in the near future, Usakov said “it could certainly happen.” The statement brought back the possibility of an immediate resumption of a live dialogue between the two countries at the highest level.

Usakov noted that recent discussions in Moscow have been based “on the main understandings reached in Anchorage.” Without giving a specific timetable, the Russian official made it clear that the Kremlin considers it realistic to hold such a meeting, provided there are appropriate conditions and progress in the consultations.