Putin warns that Russia will seek to extend its gains in Ukraine if peace talks fail
Associated Press
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Russian Chief of General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov attend the annual board meeting of the country's Defense Ministry and awards soldiers in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)Russian Chief of General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov, right, reports to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the annual board meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry and award soldiers in Moscow, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)In this photo, taken Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 and provided by Ukraine's 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, soldiers ride a quad bike near Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine. (Iryna Rybakova/Ukraine's 93rd Mechanized Brigade via AP)In this photo, taken Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 and provided by Ukraine's 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, soldiers control an FPV drone to fire towards Russian positions in a shelter in Kostyantynivka direction, Donetsk region, Ukraine. (Iryna Rybakova/Ukraine's 93rd Mechanized Brigade via AP)
Sputnik
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Russian Chief of General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov attend the annual board meeting of the country's Defense Ministry and awards soldiers in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)