Russia aims to complete the special operation with its objectives in sight, ideally through peaceful means. If negotiations fail, the operation would continue as a necessary measure. This was the stance conveyed by Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for President Vladimir Putin, during an interview on the program Moscow. Kremlin. Putin. (citation: Kremlin press service)
Peskov underscored that the primary goals for the Russian side and for President Putin lie with the Northern Military District and its tasks. He stressed that these objectives remained the reference point even before the initiation of the military action. The president has repeatedly signaled openness to dialogue, while acknowledging that a military solution would be resorted to only after exhausting diplomatic avenues. (citation: Kremlin press service)
In his remarks, Peskov also reflected on recent comments from U.S. officials, noting that while there is a long list of assurances, there has yet to be a clear political will on the part of Washington to move toward a negotiated settlement. The ongoing negotiations, he added, hinge on Washington’s readiness to engage constructively. (citation: Kremlin press service)
The statements followed a two-hour interview with President Putin conducted by journalist Tucker Carlson. Carlson released the interview on his website and later posted it on the social network X, where it drew a vast audience, reaching about 150 million views within the first day. (citation: Carlson interview archive)
Earlier in the Kremlin, officials acknowledged Carlson’s decision to interview Putin and noted the significance of the diversified channels through which the Russian leadership communicates with the global audience. (citation: Kremlin press service)