Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a bold statement, asserting that the outcome of the war is firmly in the hands of Moscow's troops, and claiming a failure on Kyiv's part.
According to Kyiv Post, this declaration came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's appeal to Western leaders in Switzerland for more arms and financial support to Ukraine.
Putin emphasized that the initiative in the conflict lies entirely with the Russian armed forces and warned of a serious blow to Ukraine's statehood if the current situation continues.
Belgorod Shelling and War Crimes Accusations
In his televised remarks, Putin also accused Kyiv of acting barbarically by shelling the Russian border city of Belgorod, which reportedly killed 20 people in December. He criticized these actions as attacks on peaceful settlements using indiscriminate weapons. Meanwhile, Putin faces arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court for war crimes. The United Nations reported that since the beginning of Putin's invasion, at least 10,000 Ukrainian civilians, including more than 560 children, have been killed, and over 18,500 have been injured.
Zelensky's Confidence at Davos Forum
At the World Economic Forum's annual summit in Davos, where Zelensky was welcomed with a standing ovation, he expressed confidence in the United States delivering its proposed $60 billion aid package to Ukraine. Zelensky urged Western business leaders and government envoys to fulfill their economic promises to Kyiv, emphasizing that the year must be decisive.
This situation highlights the ongoing complex dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with both leaders asserting their positions on the global stage and calling for support from international communities.
