Russia wants to create demilitarized buffer zones inside Ukraine around territories it has annexed, a close aide to President Vladimir Putin said today, even warning that Russian forces may have to move deeper into Ukraine if such zones cannot be established.

Thirteen months after Russia invaded Ukraine, Putin’s main military objectives have still not been achieved, despite the fact that Russia controls almost a fifth of the country.

Neither side has indicated that it intends to lay down its arms. According to Western sources, hundreds of thousands of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers were killed or seriously wounded.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who publicly describes himself as Putin’s most belligerent official, has said Russia needs demilitarized corridors around territories it claims.

“We must achieve all the goals that have been set to protect our territories, that is, the territories of the Russian Federation,” Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, said in an interview with Russian media.

We must “expel all foreigners who are there, in the broadest sense of the word, create a neutral zone that will not allow the use of any types of weapons that operate at medium and short distances, i.e. 70-100 kilometers,” Medvedev said. .

According to him, if such zones are not formed, Russia will need to move further deep into Ukraine, capturing the capital Kyiv or even the city of Lvov in eastern Ukraine.

“Nothing can be ruled out here. If you need to go to Kyiv, then you need to go to Kyiv, if you need to go to Lviv, then you need to go to Lviv to destroy this infection,” Medvedev said.

Source: APE-MPE-Reuters