Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the plenary session of the 11th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok that the parties must reach a direct agreement to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Putin said the United States, China and other countries were ready to support such an agreement.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osoryn Uchral, Myanmar Vice President Nyo Saw and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang also attended the session. Putin said the parties to the conflict were Russia and Ukraine and that the appropriate approach was to resolve the issue primarily between the two countries.
Asked whether there was a chance of reaching a solution, Putin replied, “I think there is.” Putin said he believed the United States would focus on relations with Russia after the Ukraine crisis was resolved and expressed hope that contacts with Washington would continue.
Putin accuses Ukraine
Putin alleged that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had threatened Russian civil aviation. He argued that this was a “manifestation of state terrorism” and said the approach was making peace talks more difficult.
Putin claimed that Ukraine’s Western allies were complicit in international terrorism by remaining silent on the issue. He said the restoration of full-fledged relations between Russia and the United States depended on the positions of both sides.
Putin said U.S. President Donald Trump was interested in the issue and that he hoped the contacts would produce positive results. He also said contacts with the Ukrainian side through intelligence services were continuing.
Putin rejects mobilization claims
Putin said work was continuing to repair oil refineries in Russia that had been hit and that 10 percent of the repairs remained to be completed. He alleged that the Ukrainian army was carrying out attacks on civilian infrastructure in Russia and said Russia was responding to those attacks.
“We must be prepared for anything,” Putin said regarding the fuel problems in Russia, rejecting claims that a new wave of mobilization would be launched. He argued that the claims were an “information attack” carried out ahead of elections for deputies to Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma.
Putin said there was no scenario that would require mobilization and that Russia was not experiencing problems with the number of military personnel.
Consular tensions with Germany
Putin recalled that Germany had decided to close Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn on the grounds that a drone carrying explosives had been found at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany.
Putin argued that Germany’s decision had deprived Russian and German citizens of access to consular and cultural services. He said Russia’s Embassy in Berlin would handle visa, passport and notarial services.
