Russia yet to start Ukraine operation 'in earnest,' warns Putin

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) – Russia has not yet started its “special operation” in Ukraine “in earnest,” President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday.

In a meeting with members of the State Duma in Moscow, Putin struck a defiant tone, daring the West to try to beat Russia in the battlefield.

“They want to defeat us on the battlefield. Well, what can I say? Let them try,” he said.

“We have already heard a lot that the West wants to fight with us ‘to the last Ukrainian.’ This is a tragedy for the Ukrainian people, but it seems that everything is heading toward this.”

All sides “should know that we, by and large, have not started anything in earnest yet,” Putin asserted.

He reiterated that Russia remains ready for peace talks.

“Those refusing dialogue should know negotiations will only get more difficult for them as time passes,” he added.​​​​​​​