Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Claims 'Special Military Operation' Goals Achieved

Statement by Maria Zakharova

According to Главком: During a briefing on February 23, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the objectives of the 'Special Military Operation' (SMO) have been met. She emphasized that a lasting peace in Ukraine is only possible if the root causes of the conflict are eliminated. This statement represents the Kremlin's official stance on the war, which it continues to refer to by this specific term.

Maria Zakharova's statement regarding the achievement of the 'Special Military Operation' goals reflects the official Russian position on the conflict in Ukraine.

Maria Zakharova

Full-Scale Invasion

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, marking the largest war in Europe since World War II. Zakharova noted that four years will have passed since the conflict's start by February 24, 2026, an anniversary she described as significant. The war has fundamentally reshaped European security architecture and triggered a major geopolitical realignment.

The Russian invasion was conducted from multiple directions:

• from the north, via Belarus;
• from the east, from the occupied territories of Donbas and from Russia itself;
• from the south, from Crimea.

These facts underscore the complexity and scale of the ongoing hostilities in the region. Concurrently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has compared this protracted war to the events of the Second World War.

Zakharova's emphasis on addressing the conflict's root causes may signal Moscow's intent to pursue diplomatic efforts, though the realities on the ground and international reactions remain critically important for the future trajectory of the situation. In the context of the approaching invasion anniversary, it is crucial to consider how this war has impacted European security and global politics as a whole.