Statement by Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
In response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s address at the United Russia party congress, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi issued a sharp retort. Tykhyi asserted that Moscow has failed to achieve any of its war objectives, suffering approximately 1.3 million military casualties over more than four years of conflict. Putin had described the current era as fateful and claimed the West is trying to eliminate Russia.
Tykhyi pointed out that Russia launched the war expecting a swift victory, but reality has proven otherwise.
“POV: You talk as if you are about to win the war (for the fifth year in a row). Reality: You started an aggressive war trying to win quickly, achieved none of your goals, and lost 1.3 million men in over four years,”the spokesperson commented. He also stressed that the invaders’ slow advances have been halted, and the war is now returning to Russian territory:
“Your slow advance has stopped—the war is coming back to your territory.”
Putin’s Address at the Party Congress
Speaking at the congress, Putin argued that Russia can only exist as a strong, independent state—or not at all. He repeated unsubstantiated claims about the war’s progress, alleging that Ukrainian forces are retreating along the entire front line. Putin also labeled strikes on Russian territory as acts of terrorism.
He pledged to ensure the inviolability of Russia’s borders and to hold State Duma elections in September within the legally prescribed timeframe, reinforcing his stance on the domestic situation and the war in Ukraine.
These exchanges underscore the ongoing information war between Ukraine and Russia, with each side seeking to highlight its own achievements and discredit the other. Given the scale of Russian losses cited by Tykhyi, questions about the effectiveness of Moscow’s military operations become even more pressing. At the same time, Putin is working to shore up his domestic position, reassuring citizens of the need to continue the fight and maintain stability—a sign that may point to internal challenges facing the Russian leadership.
As the conflict continues to escalate, it becomes increasingly clear that Putin is merely buying time without any intention of ending the war. This ongoing standoff reveals the stark contrast between the Kremlin's rhetoric and the harsh realities on the battlefield, further complicating the situation for both nations.