Russian Military Expert Warns Moscow 'Must be Prepared' for War With NATO

The Russian Army must be prepared for any development of the situation in the medium term, including a possible military conflict with NATO in Europe in the next decade,

he wrote

This is not only a question about the future of Ukraine—it is existential for Europe as a whole,

he said, as he declared he

Dmitry Peskovkremlin spokesman

Without a deep analysis and understanding of the root causes of the conflict around Ukraine, it is essentially impossible to work properly on a (peace) settlement,

Peskov said

Dmitry Peskovkremlin spokesman

This is what we welcome and support. This is the first thing. Secondly, we hope that Washington will fully analyse the root causes of the Ukrainian conflict - this is actually what we tried to get our opponents in Europe to pay attention to, and what they have always refused to do, just like the previous Washington administration,

Peskov said

I think Putin's place is not at the negotiating table, as some propose now, but in these prison clothes, standing in the dock at the Hague Tribunal,

Bubnys told reporters on Sunday

Volodymyr Zelenskyypresident

We must do our best to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine. This is possible with the unity of all partners: we need the strength of the whole of Europe, the strength of America, the strength of all those who want lasting peace,

Zelenskyy said on Telegram

The people decided to join Russia a long time ago,

he said, referring to Moscow-staged votes in eastern Ukraine held amid the offensive that were slammed as bogus by Kyiv, the West and international monitors

Dmitry Peskovkremlin spokesman

This is a dialogue between two extraordinary presidents,

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state TV on Sunday

Dmitry Peskovkremlin spokesman

Zelenskyy makes inappropriate remarks addressed to the head of state. He does it repeatedly,

Peskov said Sunday

Fate willed it so, God willed it so, if I may say so. A mission as difficult as it is honorable — defending Russia — has been placed on our and your shoulders together,

he told servicemen who have fought in Ukraine

Vladimir Putinpresident

Today, at the risk of their lives and with courage, they are resolutely defending their homeland, national interests and Russia's future,

Putin said in a video released by the Kremlin on Russia's Defenders of the Fatherland Day

We will continue to improve the combat capabilities of the army and navy, their combat readiness as an essential component of Russia's security [and] guarantee of its present and future sovereignty,

he said