The U.S. and Ukraine may have hailed progress in peace talks earlier this week, but Vladimir Putin maintains that Russia will “undoubtedly achieve” its goals in the war against Ukraine. Speaking at a meeting of senior defense ministry officials on Wednesday, Putin took a hard line against Kyiv and its allies, referring to European leaders as “piglets” and vowing that Moscow would conquer its “historic lands” in Ukraine. At the same time, Putin took a more conciliatory tone toward the United States, underscoring that Russia remains “in dialogue” with President Donald Trump’s administration.