Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will not allow Ukraine an opportunity to halt the advance of Russian forces, while confirming that negotiations over the conflict are continuing despite the absence of a formal agreement.
In a wide-ranging interview, Putin claimed that Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure have had little impact on the battlefield, arguing that Russia’s retaliatory strikes deep inside Ukraine have been “far more powerful and sensitive.”
According to the Russian leader, discussions aimed at resolving the conflict remain active and include new proposals. He also revealed that Russia has been asked to suspend reciprocal long-range strikes deep into both Russian and Ukrainian territory, although he did not elaborate on the source or details of the proposal.
Putin warned that Ukrainian forces could attempt diversionary operations but said Russian troops remain prepared to counter such actions.
Providing an update on the military situation, Putin asserted that Russian forces had broken through a three-tier Ukrainian defensive line in the sector operated by Russia’s “Center” military grouping. He further claimed that Ukraine had redeployed well-trained troops from the Donbas region to the Zaporizhzhia Oblast front, where Russian forces are reportedly advancing daily along a broad front.
He added that Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups occasionally infiltrate Russian-controlled territory but are quickly neutralized. Regarding the northern front, Putin stated that the city of Sumy lies about 10 kilometers from the border but insisted Russia has no political plans concerning the city.
On diplomacy, Putin said Russia remains ready to continue discussions with the United States on all issues previously raised during talks in Anchorage. He noted that while no final agreements were reached during those discussions, Moscow accepted compromises proposed by American negotiators and is prepared to continue the dialogue.
The Russian president also expressed gratitude to Alexander Lukashenko for his humanitarian efforts related to the conflict, particularly in facilitating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine.
Putin further argued that Moscow now has definitive proof that Kyiv and its Western allies never intended to implement the Minsk agreements, which were designed to end fighting in eastern Ukraine.
