Sputnik/Pool via Reuters
Russia’s Vladimir Putin gloated over Ukraine losing international support and hinted at plans to take more Ukrainian territory at his annual call-in program Thursday.
Looking heavily botoxed, Putin responded to hundreds of questions ostensibly sent in by citizens, on everything from egg prices to measles to political prisoners and the war against Ukraine. All of the questions—displayed on a huge screen as Putin responded—were prescreened by staffers in the presidential administration, according to Baza.
Asked when the war would end, Putin offered a blunt response that should shatter any illusions of the Kremlin being willing to negotiate: “There will be peace only when we achieve our goals,” he said.