By Maryam Ahmad
Russian President Vladimir Putin struck a defiant tone in a speech to his defence ministry, insisting that Russia’s goals in the war in Ukraine “will undoubtedly be achieved,” either through diplomacy or by “military means.”
While signalling openness to what he described as “substantive talks” with the United States, Putin dismissed European leaders in crude terms, referring to them as “little pigs” as they discuss proposals to increase funding for Ukraine.
The comments come as diplomatic activity intensifies in Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to join European Union leaders in Brussels on Thursday, where discussions will focus on continued political, military and financial support for Kyiv amid the protracted conflict.