Putin ignores west and vows to persist with strikes in Ukraine

Vladimir Putin vowed on Thursday to achieve the declared goals in Ukraine regardless of western reaction.

A local resident leaves his home after Russian shelling destroyed an apartment house in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine (LIBKOS/AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to press on with the invasion of Ukraine despite western criticism.

It comes as the Kremlin said it is up to Ukraine’s president to end the war – suggesting terms Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.