Putin asserts Russia's goals in Ukraine 'hasn't changed' as aim is to 'liberate Donbass'

As Russia-Ukraine war enters 127th day with no signs of conflict subsiding anywhere in sight, Vlimir Putin stated during a news conference on Wednesday in Turkmenistan that Russia's goals in Ukraine have not changed. Since onset of Russia's unjustified military operation in Ukraine, President Putin, for first time, travelled to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan on June 29. "Nothing has changed", Putin insisted during presser, ding that ultimate objective is to "liberate Donbass, to protect se people and to create conditions that would guarantee safety of Russia itself. That’s it,” RT reported.   

Russian president furr clarified that although objectives remain same, methods employed to accomplish m may alter depending on what military deems acceptable. He emphasised, neverless, that everything is progressing as planned. 

RT quoted Putin as saying, “I am not talking about delines, I never do, because that is life, this is reality. Imposing delines is wrong, because it is related to intensity of fighting, and intensity is directly linked to possible casualties. And we have to first and foremost think about preserving lives of our guys”. 

Putin also reacted to confession by NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, that alliance has been preparing for a confrontation since 2014, by saying that it was "nothing new" for Moscow. He continued by saying that Russia was a better choice than Iran for US' long-standing requirement for an 'external enemy' to unify its allies behind Washington. “This once again confirms what we have been saying all along, that NATO is a Cold War relic,” he argued.  

Russia doesn't have same problems with Sweden & Finland as y have with Ukraine: Putin

Furrmore, in response to inquiries about Finland and Sweden joining alliance, Putin stated that it is utterly incorrect for West to claim that this has accomplished Russia's goal of keeping NATO at a distance. Russian President said that y do not have same problems with Sweden and Finland as y have with Ukraine. He ded that y do not have any territorial conflicts, nor do y have any concerns about Finland and Sweden joining NATO. He emphasised, “If y want to, let m,” RT reported.  

Putin warned by saying, “y have to clearly understand that y didn’t have any threats before, but now, if military forces and infrastructure are located re, we will be forced to respond tit-for-tat, and create same threats for territories we are threatened from”. “This is obvious... Everything was fine before between us, but now re will be tension, of course, I repeat, if we are threatened,” he indicated.  

Putin reiterated that Moscow does not now see Stockholm's and Helsinki's prospective threats as being as significant as those that have been emanating from Zelenskyy's ministration during previous years, though. 

Notably, on Wednesday, Vlimir Putin me his first trip outside of country since beginning of Russia's military action in Ukraine. He stopped by Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. He met with presidents of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan during sixth Caspian summit. He toured Tajikistan day before and h a meeting with Emomali Rahmon, country's president. 

(Image: AP)