Peskov claims Putin's comments about Russia gaining 'new territory' were mischaracterized

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that the Kremlin has said nothing about “new territories,” seemingly contradicting Vladimir Putin’s earlier statement that Russia’s acquisition of “new territories” in Ukraine had been a “significant result” of the war.

“This isn’t what’s being discussed. At least, there haven’t been any statements about it. But there’s still a lot of work to be done to liberate territories. You know that in a number of Russia’s new regions, there are occupied territories that will have to be liberated.”

According to Peskov, one of the main goals of Russia’s “special military operation” is to “defend people living in southeastern Ukraine and living in the Donbas.” “And as part of efforts to protect these people, these territories were formed and incorporated [into Russia] as a result of referendums that were held there. That’s what the president was talking about,” he said.

Peskov also noted that “denazification” and “demilitarization” also remain part of the goals of Russia’s “special military operation.”

In a speech to Russia's Human Rights Council on Wednesday, Putin said that Moscow does not need to mobilize more troops and called Russia's territorial gains a "significant result" of the war. He also claimed the Sea of Azov has become an "internal sea" for Russia.

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