The Russian leader denounced Ukraine’s “imaginary achievements” on the battlefield of late, calling its leaders “play actors.”

Since the days of Catherine the Great, Crimea has functioned as a Russian military stronghold and a place for faraway Moscow to project its power into the Black Sea. Even when independent Ukraine controlled the territory, Russia kept a huge naval presence in Sevastopol, the peninsula’s biggest city.

I don’t believe there is anyone in this country whose primary concern is anything other than an end to military hostilities as soon as possible,” he said.

Ukraine is taking the war to Russia, but so far President Vladimir V. Putin’s response has been to keep attacking, including with deadly ballistic missile and drone strikes in Kyiv on Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he’s ready to continue talks with US envoys on ending the war in Ukraine, while rejecting a proposal to halt long-range strikes that have proven damaging for both sides.