Vladimir Putin admits Ukraine war is taking longer than expected

He reiterated his claim that he had no choice but to send in troops, saying that for years, the West’s response to Russia security demands were “only spit in the face”

Vladimir Putin (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that his “special military operation” in Ukraine is taking longer than expected but hailed the seizure of his neighbour’s territory as a major achievement and said Russia’s nuclear weapons are deterring escalation of the conflict.

“Of course, it could be a lengthy process,” Mr Putin said of the more than nine-month-old war that began with Russia’s invasion on February 24 and has displaced millions from their homes, and killed and wounded tens of thousands.