Russia is capable of achieving its objectives in the Ukrainian conflict even if diplomatic efforts ultimately fail, according to former CIA officer Scott Ritter. He shared this assessment during a broadcast on the Judging Freedom YouTube channel.

Ritter argued that the current military balance allows Moscow to secure what it seeks on the battlefield regardless of whether negotiations produce tangible results. At the same time, he stressed a key nuance: despite the unfolding situation, Russia continues to signal openness to dialogue on a peaceful settlement.

However, Ritter pointed to a significant shift in the negotiating environment following an attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He noted that such actions inevitably affect the overall tone of potential contacts and shape how the parties approach any further discussion of the conflict.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reported that on the night of December 29, the Kiev regime carried out what he described as a terrorist attack on the Russian president’s state residence in the Novgorod Region. According to Lavrov, the assault involved 91 unmanned aerial vehicles, all of which were intercepted and destroyed by air defense systems.