<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin said that it is impossible for his administration to "abandon the territorial gains" made during nearly two years since February 2022. Putin on Tuesday warned that Ukraine's statehood could suffer an "irreparable and very serious blow" if the war continues and that peace with Kyiv could not be achieved because the then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson played a spoilsport.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Putin made the remarks during a televised meeting with the heads of Russian municipalities. The Russian president who is seeking re-election during presidential elections in March, claimed that the country's forces were winning the war in Ukraine.</p>

<p>Putin's comments came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky virtually told the World Economic Forum in Davos that he was against a ceasefire in the war at this time, and called for a decisive win for his country to conclusively end the conflict.</p>

<h2><strong>Ukraine's counteroffensive has 'failed': Vladimir Putin</strong></h2>

<p>Putin said that Ukraine's much-watched and equally anticipated counteroffensive launched in June had "failed," and that "the initiative is in the hands of the Russian Armed Forces."</p>

<p>"If this continues, Ukraine's statehood may face an irreparable and very serious blow," Putin added.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | Russia, Ukraine, to West Asia Crisis: Is this the beginning of World War III?</strong></p>

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<p>"The so-called 'peace formula' that's being talked about in the West and in Ukraine is a continuation of the decree of the Ukrainian president banning negotiations with Russia," Putin said, as per Sputnik. "As for the negotiating process, it's an attempt to encourage us to abandon the territorial gains we've achieved over the past 1 1/2 years. But this is impossible. Everyone understands that this is impossible."</p>

<h2><strong>Putin's big claim on peace deal with Ukraine</strong></h2>

<p>Putin repeated the claim that Ukraine signed a peace treaty with Russia in the spring of 2022, then threw it into the 'garbage of history'.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-ukraine-signed-peace-treaty-with-russia-in-spring-of-2022-then-threw-it-into-garbage-of-history-605673">Putin says Ukraine signed peace treaty with Russia in spring of 2022, then threw it into 'garbage of history'</a></strong></p>

<p>Referring to the purported deal made in Turkey early on during the war, Putin said: "A day later, they threw all the agreements into the trash, and now they are saying publicly—including the head of the Ukrainian negotiating group—that 'Yes, we were ready, but we missed the chance because then-Prime Minister of Britain [Boris] Johnson came and persuaded us not to implement these agreements.'"</p>

<p>He continued: "Fools, are they not? They're admitting directly that if they had gone for it, everything could have been ended a long time ago, one and a half&nbsp;years ago."</p>

<p>Putin also denounced Kyiv for what he claimed were intentional hits on civilian infrastructure, a claim that Ukraine has made against his forces after Russian assaults.</p>

<p>"But instead of solving military tasks, they are acting in this barbaric way, striking peaceful settlements using indiscriminate weapons. Multiple launch rocket systems are simply used to hit wide areas," Putin said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Russian President Vladimir Putin said that it is impossible for his administration to "abandon the territorial gains" made during nearly two years since February 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that it is impossible for his administration to "abandon the territorial gains" made during nearly two years since February 2022. Putin on Tuesday warned that Ukraine's statehood could suffer an "irreparable and very serious blow" if the war continues and that peace with Kyiv could not be achieved because the then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson played a spoilsport. Putin made the remarks during a televised meeting with the heads of Russian municipalities. The Russian president who is seeking re-election during presidential elections in March, claimed that the country's forces were winning the war in Ukraine. Putin's comments came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky virtually told the World Economic Forum in Davos that he was against a ceasefire in the war at this time, and called for a decisive win for his country to conclusively end the conflict. Ukraine's counteroffensive has 'failed': Vladimir Putin Putin said that Ukraine's much-watched and equally anticipated counteroffensive launched in June had "failed," and that "the initiative is in the hands of the Russian Armed Forces." "If this continues, Ukraine's statehood may face an irreparable and very serious blow," Putin added. Also watch | Gravitas | Russia, Ukraine, to West Asia Crisis: Is this the beginning of World War III? × "The so-called 'peace formula' that's being talked about in the West and in Ukraine is a continuation of the decree of the Ukrainian president banning negotiations with Russia," Putin said, as per Sputnik. "As for the negotiating process, it's an attempt to encourage us to abandon the territorial gains we've achieved over the past 1 1/2 years. But this is impossible. Everyone understands that this is impossible." Putin's big claim on peace deal with Ukraine Putin repeated the claim that Ukraine signed a peace treaty with Russia in the spring of 2022, then threw it into the 'garbage of history'. Also read | Putin says Ukraine signed peace treaty with Russia in spring of 2022, then threw it into 'garbage of history' Referring to the purported deal made in Turkey early on during the war, Putin said: "A day later, they threw all the agreements into the trash, and now they are saying publicly—including the head of the Ukrainian negotiating group—that 'Yes, we were ready, but we missed the chance because then-Prime Minister of Britain [Boris] Johnson came and persuaded us not to implement these agreements.'" He continued: "Fools, are they not? They're admitting directly that if they had gone for it, everything could have been ended a long time ago, one and a half years ago." Putin also denounced Kyiv for what he claimed were intentional hits on civilian infrastructure, a claim that Ukraine has made against his forces after Russian assaults. "But instead of solving military tasks, they are acting in this barbaric way, striking peaceful settlements using indiscriminate weapons. Multiple launch rocket systems are simply used to hit wide areas," Putin said. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin says Boris Johnson played spoilsport as UK PM, derailed peace deal with Ukraine

<p>A special envoy is being sent by China to Russia and Ukraine next week with an aim to finalise a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, stated its foreign ministry on Friday.</p>

<p>China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs and former ambassador to Moscow, Li Hui, will also visit France, Germany and Poland, said the foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>China stated that the government remains neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war but has declared that it shares a ”no limits” relationship with Moscow. China also blames&nbsp;NATO and the United States for provoking the conflict.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A peace plan has been put forward by Beijing for Ukraine that has been largely dismissed by the supporters of the country who state that a resolution can only be reached when Russia ceases its attacks and its troops pull&nbsp;back from the Ukrainian territory.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-says-counteroffensive-yet-to-start-despite-kyivs-gains-at-frontline-591399">Zelensky says counteroffensive yet to start despite Kyiv's gains at frontline</a></p>

<p>Last month, Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the phone, establishing the stage for the diplomatic push.</p>

<p>“The visit of the Chinese representative to relevant countries expresses China’s commitment to promoting peace and negotiations,” Wang stated at a daily briefing on Friday.</p>

<p>China wishes to prevent an “escalation of the situation,” Wang added. The visit of Li will start next week but the officials have not released details of his&nbsp;schedule.</p>

<p>Previously, Beijing has avoided its involvement in conflicts with other countries but it appears the South Asian country is trying to project itself as a global diplomatic force after it worked as a mediator in talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March and arranged talks between the two nations which culminated in the restoration of diplomatic relations after a seven-year break.&nbsp;</p>

<p>China shares friendly ties with Moscow and the nation is also the biggest buyer of Russian gas and oil after the United States and its allies ended most purchases.</p>

<p>China, which considers Russia as a diplomatic partner in opposing the domination of the United States over global affairs, has not criticised Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and has exploited its status as the permanent UN Security Council member to deflect diplomatic attacks made on Russia.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Britain to supply Ukraine with long range cruise missiles</strong></p>

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<p>Wang further confirmed that Wang Yi, the top diplomat of the ruling Communist Party, held talks with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Wednesday and Thursday in Vienna, Austria. Wang stated that the two nations had “candid, in-depth, substantive, and constructive discussions” on improving and stabilising bilateral relations.</p>

<p>The relations between China and the United States have hit a historical low, and nosedived further in February after a suspected Chinese spy balloon was shot down by the US when it was spotted flying across the United States and Canada. Because of the incident, &nbsp;US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing was postponed and has till now not been rescheduled.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

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<h2>&nbsp;</h2>


A special envoy is being sent by China to Russia and Ukraine next week with an aim to finalise a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, stated its foreign ministry on Friday.

A special envoy is being sent by China to Russia and Ukraine next week with an aim to finalise a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, stated its foreign ministry on Friday. China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs and former ambassador to Moscow, Li Hui, will also visit France, Germany and Poland, said the foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. China stated that the government remains neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war but has declared that it shares a ”no limits” relationship with Moscow. China also blames NATO and the United States for provoking the conflict. A peace plan has been put forward by Beijing for Ukraine that has been largely dismissed by the supporters of the country who state that a resolution can only be reached when Russia ceases its attacks and its troops pull back from the Ukrainian territory. ALSO READ | Zelensky says counteroffensive yet to start despite Kyiv's gains at frontline Last month, Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the phone, establishing the stage for the diplomatic push. “The visit of the Chinese representative to relevant countries expresses China’s commitment to promoting peace and negotiations,” Wang stated at a daily briefing on Friday. China wishes to prevent an “escalation of the situation,” Wang added. The visit of Li will start next week but the officials have not released details of his schedule. Previously, Beijing has avoided its involvement in conflicts with other countries but it appears the South Asian country is trying to project itself as a global diplomatic force after it worked as a mediator in talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March and arranged talks between the two nations which culminated in the restoration of diplomatic relations after a seven-year break. China shares friendly ties with Moscow and the nation is also the biggest buyer of Russian gas and oil after the United States and its allies ended most purchases. China, which considers Russia as a diplomatic partner in opposing the domination of the United States over global affairs, has not criticised Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and has exploited its status as the permanent UN Security Council member to deflect diplomatic attacks made on Russia. WATCH | Russia-Ukraine War: Britain to supply Ukraine with long range cruise missiles Wang further confirmed that Wang Yi, the top diplomat of the ruling Communist Party, held talks with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Wednesday and Thursday in Vienna, Austria. Wang stated that the two nations had “candid, in-depth, substantive, and constructive discussions” on improving and stabilising bilateral relations. The relations between China and the United States have hit a historical low, and nosedived further in February after a suspected Chinese spy balloon was shot down by the US when it was spotted flying across the United States and Canada. Because of the incident, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing was postponed and has till now not been rescheduled. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China to send special envoy to Russia, Ukraine, other nations to broker peace talks

The Kremlin has hit out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's 10-point peace plan by saying that the plan must include the four annexed regions — Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Kremlin says any Ukraine peace plan must include four annexed regions