Russia says Ukraine must surrender even as Putins army retreats

MOSCOW Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine must surrender or face continued war, even as Moscows troops have been forced to retreat in a series of damaging defeats.

In an interview with the state-run news service Tass published on Tuesday, Mr Lavrov said Ukraine must cede sovereignty over territories annexed by Russia since President Vladimir Putins Feb 24 invasion.

He reiterated claims that Russias aim in starting the war was the de-Nazification and de-militarisation of Ukraine.

The Kremlins goals are well-known to the enemy, Mr Lavrov said. Fulfill them for your own good. Otherwise the issue will be decided by the Russian army.

With the war entering its 11th month, Russian forces are on the back foot after repeated battlefield failures under pressure from a Ukrainian counter-offensive backed with weapons from its US and European allies.

Mr Putin conceded last week that the situation is extremely difficult in four partly-occupied regions of east and south Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces have gradually reclaimed territory.

In November, Ukraine took back the southern city of Kherson, the only regional capital that Russia had seized during the invasion.

Still, Mr Putin also told a meeting with top military officials last week that Russia has no limitations on military spending for the war in Ukraine, as he called on the army to deliver results.

Faced with mounting losses, Kremlin officials in recent months had toned down public demands for Ukraine to capitulate after the failure of Russias attempt early in the war to seize the capital Kyiv and overthrow President Volodymyr Zelenskys government.

Russia narrowed its war goals to control the four regions that Mr Putin formally annexed in September, even though his troops didnt fully occupy them and have since lost more of the territories.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with the Associated Press that his country wants to hold a peace summit in February, but he doesnt anticipate Russia taking part.

Kyiv is ready to hold direct talks with Moscow only after Russia faces a war-crimes tribunal, he said. BLOOMBERG More On This Topic Attacks complicate Russias campaign of striking Ukraines energy grid Ukraines foreign minister proposes peace summit for February