Russian President Vladimir Putin has described Ukraine’s recent incursion on Russian soil as a failure in an attempt to distract Russia’s military. During the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin stated that Ukraine’s goal was to make Russia transfer troops and halt the offensive in Donbas, but they were unsuccessful. He claimed that Russia has stabilised the situation and is pushing Ukrainians out of border areas while Ukraine suffers heavy losses in manpower and equipment. Putin also accused Ukraine of weakening itself by transferring well-trained units to the Russian border.
Putin’s surprising endorsement in the US presidential race saw him support Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump. He expressed his preference for Harris due to the restrictions and sanctions imposed by Trump against Russia. Putin’s comments on the US election came during the panel discussion with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng at the Eastern Economic Forum.
In terms of peace talks in Ukraine, Putin expressed a preference for China, Brazil, and India to serve as mediators. He stated that negotiations should be based on previously agreed-upon documents rather than temporary demands. However, the Ukrainian government has declared that it will not engage in direct negotiations with Russia despite Putin’s willingness to negotiate.
Overall, Putin’s remarks at the Eastern Economic Forum shed light on the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, as well as his views on the US presidential race. His comments reflect his efforts to portray Ukraine’s actions as a futile distraction from Russia’s military efforts. Additionally, his endorsement of Kamala Harris over Donald Trump signifies his disapproval of Trump’s policies towards Russia. Despite these tensions, Putin remains open to negotiations and mediation with international partners to resolve conflicts in Ukraine.
