Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that he is ready to go “to the end” to protect the country’s interests in the conflict with Ukraine and what Moscow calls the “collective West”, reports Lenta.

Putin stated this during a conversation with servicemen who were awarded the “Hero of Russia” award, saying that “the Motherland gave everyone the opportunity to work for Russia and its people.”

“And all of us together, and I in particular, will go to the end, defending the interests of the country. But it is very important for me to hear those people who are risking their lives, their health right there, who are not afraid to go forward and lead people behind them,” he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, during an extended meeting at the Ministry of Defense in Moscow, Putin said that “we will not give up what is ours.”

Russia controls about 17.5 percent of the territory that was internationally recognized as part of Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

“In Ukraine, those who are aggressive towards Russia, and in Europe, and in the USA – do they want to negotiate? Leave them alone. But we will do it based on our national interests,” he said during a conversation with the leaders of the Ministry of Defense.

He reiterated that Russia would not abandon the “objectives of the special military operation,” something he also emphasized during his marathon press conference last week.

His new comments on Tuesday that they were going “all the way” appeared to be a reference to statements made in recent months by several Western officials who said their countries would support Ukraine “as long as it takes.”

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