A trumpet call of Russian triumph was emitted by Vladimir Putin from the St. Petersburg Economic Forum on 4/6, revealing that Russia strikes so far with Oreshnik are... essentially on a trial basis, while he argued that the Ukrainians are being crushed on all fronts of the war, losing 40,000 fighters per month, noting, at the same time, that the Kyiv regime does not possess any organized air defense, during an extensive press conference to foreign editors broadcast by the Russian Gazeta.ru. Russia has not had a single war use in the full sense of the Oreshnik missile on Ukrainian territory, stated Vladimir Putin, who rushed to clarify the background behind the recent launches. The Russian President noted characteristically that his forces struck where it was convenient so they could simply see the result of the strikes, underlining at the same time that this process is extremely important for making future decisions regarding the full scale use of the specific missile, including its utilization in urban areas.
We want victory on the field and an agreement on the table - Ukrainians without organized air defense
Moscow certainly wishes to reach an agreement with Kyiv through the diplomatic route, with the Russian leader clarifying that this effort is based on the framework that was defined during the meeting of Vladimir Putin with the US President Donald Trump in Anchorage. Vladimir Putin stressed meaningfully that Russia possesses the patriotism and the will of the people, elements that constitute the main prerequisites for the achievement of all goals of the special military operation. On the flip side, the Russian President stated categorically that Ukraine, in contrast to Russia, does not possess a comprehensive air defense system, but only... some isolated elements of it.
We have conquered 2.44 square kilometers in Donbass - We control 88% of Zaporizhia
Proceeding to a revealing account of the operations, Vladimir Putin underlined that only in recent months the Russian army has placed under its control approximately 2.44 million square kilometers of territory in Donbass. More specifically, Russia has placed under its full control the Lugansk People's Republic and over 85% of the territories of the Donetsk People's Republic. Until recently, Ukraine controlled approximately 25%, while now it controls less than 15%, at a time when Russia also controls approximately 80% of Zaporizhia.
The Ukrainians are being crushed, they have 40,000 casualties and 20,000 desertions per month
At the same time, the situation inside the Ukrainian forces is described as dramatic, as approximately 20,000 people desert from the Ukrainian Armed Forces every month, as explained by the leader of the Russian Federation. Vladimir Putin explained the root of the problem, pointing out that people are being removed by force and there is no motivation to fight, resulting in the greatest problem of the Ukrainian Armed Forces today being the catastrophic shortage of personnel, as monthly losses amount to approximately 40,000 soldiers. Amidst this setting, Russian troops are advancing along the entire line of contact and there is no point where they do not have a presence. Concluding, Vladimir Putin, answering a relevant question from the Associated Press, signaled clearly that the consolidation of Russia control over Donbass comes into no contradiction with the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict through the diplomatic route.
All countries, including Russia, to get involved in the downblending of Iranian uranium
The uranium in Iran must absolutely be placed under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, continued Vladimir Putin, underlining at the same time that all countries must actively participate in the process of dilution of the highly enriched uranium. The Russian President clarified that Russia does not wish to impose its services for the resolution of the war between the US and Iran, however he pointed out meaningfully that both sides are fully aware of the proposals of Moscow. Continuing his analysis, Vladimir Putin mentioned that Moscow fully understands that the American government is forced to manage the crisis in Iran and to dedicate significant attention to it. Despite this, he stressed that the proposals of Donald Trump could constitute the basis for peace agreements, a fact which means that Washington acted correctly in its efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. Concluding, the Russian leader stated categorically that the US President Donald Trump is sincerely committed to the resolution of the crisis in Ukraine, complementing indeed that his American counterpart himself has admitted that he had not fully appreciated the complexity of this process.
Europe to get involved diplomatically only if it respects the Anchorage agreements
The European Union could help in finding a solution to the issues of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, but this must be done strictly within the framework of the agreements achieved in Anchorage, added Vladimir Putin. The Russian President clarified that the compromises must be accepted by Ukraine, however Kyiv does not consent to them for domestic political reasons, leaving clear hints that certain Ukrainian politicians in reality do not wish for the termination of hostilities, as something like that would make the remaining of the current leadership of the country in power extremely difficult.
What he said about the legitimacy of Zelensky and about the prestige of... Schröder
Referring to the burning issue of the legitimacy of the term of Volodymyr Zelensky as president of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin underlined that this constitutes a matter for the legal experts, complementing meaningfully that any country that signs a potential peace treaty will examine thoroughly whether the person signing is legitimate based on the constitution of the country. At the same time, the Russian President reminded that Russia never refused to maintain contacts with representatives of the European Union, while he wove the praise of the former chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schröder, characterizing him as a rare European politician whom one can trust.
Unconstitutional the presence of Zelensky in the presidential seat, time for elections in Ukraine
However, the Russian President Putin stated categorically that the issue of presidential elections in Ukraine constitutes now a matter of major importance. Vladimir Putin reminded meaningfully that the term of the current president, Volodymyr Zelensky, already expired as of 2024, while he rushed to underline with emphasis that the topic of elections in the republic had been raised strongly in late 2025 and in early 2026. Where are these discussions now? Will there be elections or not? wondered the strongman of the Kremlin, noting at the same time that the discussions around the electoral restart have now quieted down. If elections take place, then when? asked characteristically the Russian leader, who earlier had clarified that the negotiator of Europe for Ukraine must absolutely be a person of absolute trust.
What he revealed about the presidential elections in Russia in 2030
Meanwhile, the Russian President Vladimir Putin stated categorically that it is too early to discuss whether he will run for the presidency in 2030, even though the Russian Constitution clearly allows it for him, with statements before foreign editors on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. Specifically, the Russian leader underlined that, indeed, the constitution allows a candidacy in 2030, but he himself considers that it is too early for anyone to speak about this, adding with absolute honesty that it is way too early and that at this moment he does not even think about it. Vladimir Putin rushed to give special emphasis to the fact that the country faces many large, long term and pressing issues, which must be confronted not by thinking about this possibility, but by turning one thought to the future of Russia, concluding that this exactly is what should occupy the leadership.
India can have diplomatic relations with whomever it wishes
The cooperation between India and the United States does not create complications in the relations between New Delhi and Moscow, with Vladimir Putin assuring categorically that Russia is satisfied with the fact that India develops relations with whomever it itself deems necessary. At the same time, the Russian President stated that Russia and India will continue to work on the trade of hydrocarbons, underlining meaningfully that the two countries are bound by the terms of a privileged strategic partnership.
Our cooperation with China deepens, we are building together the new economy of the future
The Russian President expressed his absolute certainty that all goals that were set during his visit to China in May will be achieved, adding meaningfully that Russia and China will soon share with the world important news related to the sector of energy. In recent years, Moscow and Beijing are focusing increasingly on issues regarding the new economy, including artificial intelligence, AI, information technology, genetic engineering and other sectors, while at the same time defense cooperation continues normally and is completely irrelevant to current political events. We are simply friends with China, not against anyone, but toward the interest of each one of us, rushed to underline Vladimir Putin. At the same time, the Russian President clarified that the turn of Russia toward the East did not start five years ago, as the first partnership agreement was signed in 2001, while the principles of relations between the peoples of Russia and China have been shaped for centuries. Concluding, he expressed his warm thanks toward the Chinese representatives for the warm reception that was reserved for him in Beijing in May, with the Xinhua news agency estimating that this visit was the 25th in a row that he conducted.
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