Kremlin-Aims Can Be Achieved By Talks, But Impossible Due To UKR Stance

Wires reporting comments from the Kremlin stating the Russian gov'ts belief that the aims of the 'special military operation' (the invasion of Ukraine) can be achieved via peace talks, but that the Ukrainian position makes these impossible.

• Kremlin also states that the Russian withdrawal from the city of Kherson was a 'defence ministry decision', and that it does not change the city and wider Kherson oblast's place in Russia [the region along with three others was annexed via Russia in October].
• With Russian forces having withdrawn from the western bank of the Dnipro river, focus in the short term turns to the potential for a Russian attack on the Khakhova dam further upriver. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia blowing up the dam 'would be a declaration of war on the whole world'.
• Ukraine's position remains that it will negotiate with Russia, but not if Putin remains at head of gov't. Could begin to feel pressure from less hawkish allies concerned about continued economic impact of war domestically over the winter.