Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov affirmed on Friday that Russia wants a peaceful settlement to the Ukrainian conflict, but warned that Moscow will continue military operations should Ukraine refuse to negotiate. In an interview with Russia Today, Peskov noted that the Russian pro-peace position was previously rejected by “Europeans and Ukrainians,” prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to launch the military action. “Therefore, if we are unable to resolve the problem and achieve our goals through peaceful means, we will continue the SVO [special military operation] and do everything necessary to protect our interests,” he explained. Peskov also touched upon Putin’s ongoing state visit to India, noting that India has a “fairly balanced approach and is pro-peace” and that Moscow has a chance to discuss all nuances of its position during the dialogue between Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.