MOSCOW, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Western countries' decision to intervene in the conflict in Ukraine meant it had become a much wider confrontation with nations that Russia
Kremlin Says Ukraine War Has Expanded Into a Wider Clash With the West
Kremlin Position and Negotiation Outlook
MOSCOW, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Western countries' decision to intervene in the conflict in Ukraine meant it had become a much wider confrontation with nations that Russia believed want to crush it.
Speaking exactly four years after tens of thousands of Russian troops entered Ukraine on President Vladimir Putin's orders, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the fighting continued, but that Moscow remained open to achieving its aims through political and diplomatic means.
Conflict Widening to the West
"Following the direct intervention in this conflict by Western European countries and the United States, the special military operation de facto turned into a much larger confrontation between Russia and Western countries, which had and continue to harbour the goal of destroying our country," said Peskov.
Can Talks Resolve the War?
Asked whether Moscow believed the conflict could be resolved through talks, Peskov said: "We are continuing our efforts to achieve peace, our position is very clear and consistent. Now everything depends on the actions of the Kyiv regime."
Next Round Not Finalized
Peskov said he could not say when and where the next round of negotiations with Ukraine would take place as they had yet to be finalised.
Calls to Continue Peace Efforts
"We truly hope that this work will continue," he said.
(Reporting by Gleb StolyarovWriting by Felix LightEditing by Andrew Osborn)
