Putin's Unyielding Determination for Russian Goals in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated during his annual press conference that there will be no peace until Russia achieves its goals in Ukraine, which include demilitarizing Ukraine, eliminating alleged Nazis, and preventing Kyiv from joining NATO. Putin referred to the conflict as a civil war and claimed that Russians and Ukrainians are essentially one people. He ruled out the need for a second mobilization drive, stating that there are currently 617,000 Russian troops fighting in Ukraine. Meanwhile, European Union leaders are meeting to discuss a support package for Ukraine and the possibility of its formal membership in the bloc.