German Defence Minister says Putin has reached ‘dead end’ as Ukraine inflicts growing damage on Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reached a “dead end” in his war against Ukraine, with Kyiv increasingly inflicting damage on Russia, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday at the opening of the Ramstein-format meeting.

"Putin has reached a dead end. His illegal attack on Ukraine continues to cause enormous losses among his troops. The Kremlin can no longer hide the negative effects of this war against Ukraine. Its implications are increasingly felt by the Russian population," he said.

The Minister noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to call for renewed negotiations, while Moscow has opted for further escalation.

“He [Putin] has chosen escalation and this escalation is directed against the Ukrainian people and our NATO partners in the East. Putin does not want to reflect on the defeats suffered on the battlefield and, despite the losses, wants to continue the war,” Pistorius said.

He added that support for Ukraine would continue, arguing that sustained assistance remains the only way for Kyiv to expand its successes on the battlefield.