U.S. State Department on Putin's statements about 'demilitarized zone' in Ukraine
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller (Photo: Getty Images)
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has not changed his goals regarding Ukraine. If Putin is interested in "demilitarization," it should start with those parts of Ukraine where Russian troops are present, according to U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller during a briefing.
Miller commented on the statement of the Russian dictator regarding the supposed plan to create a "demilitarized zone" between Russia and Ukraine.
"I'm struggling to understand how a demilitarized zone between Russia and Ukraine would be implemented when Russian forces are currently inside Ukraine," he said.
The State Department spokesperson emphasized that it is challenging to have a demilitarized zone when Russian forces continue to operate on the Ukrainian side of the border. He added that Putin has repeatedly made it clear that he has not changed his goals of conquering and subjugating Ukraine.
"I think if the – if Russia really wanted to show interest in a demilitarized zone, the thing they could do is start by demilitarizing the parts of Ukraine where there are currently Russian forces," Miller stressed.
Putin's statement
On January 31, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin expressed a desire to "shift the line of contact" and create a so-called "demilitarized zone" to protect Russia from Ukrainian strikes.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that Putin's announced goal to advance the front line is vague and practically unattainable as long as Ukraine can conduct military operations.
Oleksandr Musiienko, the Head of the Center of Military Law Researches, assessed the statement of the Russian dictator, suggesting that Putin is likely trying to find justification for the continuation of the war against Ukraine.
