Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Moscow had barely started its campaign in Ukraine and dared the west to try to defeat it on the battlefield. “Everyone should know that, by and large, we have not started anything yet in earnest,” Putin said during a speech to parliamentary leaders on Thursday, adding that the prospects for any negotiation would grow dimmer the longer the conflict dragged on. ‘The further it goes, the harder it will be for them to negotiate with us,’ he added. Referring to Ukraine’s western allies, Putin said: ‘We are hearing that they want to defeat us on the battlefield. What can I say, let them try. ‘
