As the Russo–Ukraine war entered its 12th day, hopes dimmed for a near-term negotiated settlement to the hostilities as Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday doubled down on his campaign to “demilitarize” Ukraine, while Russia’s Defense Ministry warned neighboring countries to stay out or be considered parties to the war.
In separate phone calls on Sunday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and French President Emmanuel Macron, Putin said Russia would only halt its military operation if Ukrainian forces stopped fighting and Moscow’s “well-known” demands were met, according to the Kremlin’s readout of the calls.
