U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already failed in his strategic objective “to erase” Ukraine and end its independence after more than four months of conflict, writes Thes Fox News.

Blinken appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” ahead of the annual G-7 summit in Germany, and was asked whether Russia was winning the months-long conflict following overnight attacks on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

“When it comes to Putin’s strategic objectives, he has already failed. His strategic objective was to end Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence, to erase it from the map, to subsume it in Russia. That has failed. A sovereign, independent Ukraine will be around a lot longer than Vladimir Putin is on the scene”, - Blinken said.

His remarks come as Ukrainian officials said that Russia launched missiles on Kyiv, striking at least two residential buildings and damaging a nearby kindergarten.

Meanwhile, Blinken described “a tactical, ferocious battle” raging in Eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces are engaged in pushing back Russian forces.

“And that line has shifted, there are gains one way, gains another way. But what’s really important is the strategic proposition that Putin will not succeed in what he’s tried to achieve… While Putin has also tried to divide NATO, the alliance will meet at the G-7 summit where the nations will show their unity and strength”, - the secretary of state said.