Russian President Vladimir Putin stated Moscow’s willingness to explore peace options with Ukraine, emphasizing any agreement must reflect the current situation on the ground.
His comments came during a news conference concluding the 16th BRICS Summit, which he hailed as a significant global political event and a culmination of Russia’s chairmanship.
Putin noted that the Russian military is advancing on all fronts in the conflict zone and reported that 2,000 Ukrainian troops had been encircled in the Kursk region.
He accused Ukraine’s recent incursion into the area of being a strategic move to demonstrate to the U.S. that its support for Kyiv has been effective, contending that Ukraine’s actions were serving American interests rather than those of its own people.
The Russian leader maintained that while Moscow is open to peace talks, the responsibility now lies with Kyiv, which he claimed has resisted negotiations. He attributed this reluctance to Ukraine’s leadership, who would need to lift martial law and prepare for elections if peace talks commenced.
At the BRICS Summit, Putin highlighted the collective desire among member countries to see an end to the conflict as soon as possible, ideally through peaceful means.
He reiterated accusations of direct Western involvement in the conflict, particularly by providing sophisticated military technology and training Ukrainian forces.
He argued that Ukrainian troops would not be able to operate high-precision weaponry, such as ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles, without Western support and guidance.
Turning his focus to broader geopolitical issues, Putin dismissed accusations that Russia has rejected dialogue with European nations, labeling such claims as false.
He asserted that destabilization within the EU stems from flawed domestic policies, not Russian actions, and accused European leaders of deflecting responsibility for economic and social difficulties onto Moscow.
In discussing NATO, the Russian president criticized the alliance’s continued expansion, which he described as a violation of Russia’s security concerns.
He insisted that Russia had consistently warned against NATO’s enlargement and called it an “unfair” practice that disregards Russia’s legitimate security interests.
Regarding tensions in the Middle East, Putin voiced Russia’s opposition to further escalation, arguing that any deepening of the conflict would be detrimental to Russia’s strategic interests. He emphasized the need for de-escalation and diplomatic efforts in the region.
On Russia’s economic outlook, Putin expressed optimism, predicting the country’s GDP growth could reach around 4% for the year. He highlighted the country’s ongoing economic development, suggesting a stable and improving situation despite external pressures.
Putin also addressed recent comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly threatened Moscow. He dismissed such threats as ineffective, arguing that Russians are not intimidated by external saber-rattling.
The summit, held amid heightened global tensions, underscored BRICS members’ efforts to enhance multilateral cooperation and reduce Western influence.
As Russia concluded its chairmanship, Putin reiterated the bloc’s commitment to reshaping global political and economic structures, aiming for what he described as a fairer international order.