Russian President, Vladimir Putin, expressed willingness today to meet with Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, but only in the final phase of peace negotiations.
"We also want to end this (conflict) as soon as possible. And preferably through peaceful means," Putin said during an informational meeting with representatives of major global news agencies, including EFE, at the St. Petersburg International Forum.
Putin stated that he would have no issue meeting with Zelensky if the Ukrainian state entrusts him to lead the negotiations, but he once again questioned his legitimacy as head of state, claiming that his mandate, according to Russia, expired in May 2024.
"The issue is who will sign the documents," he said. He also admitted to rejecting Zelensky's proposal to meet in mid-May in Istanbul due to the absence of U.S. President, Donald Trump.
Putin recalled that in 2022, Russia was willing to allow Ukraine to retain control of the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhia in exchange for the establishment of a land corridor to the annexed Crimea peninsula.
Furthermore, Putin asserted that the increase in defense spending by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) does not pose a "threat" to Russia, as Moscow has all the necessary weapons to defend itself.
The Western military alliance is urging its members to increase defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product, a pressure being exerted by President Trump himself. "We do not consider NATO's rearmament a threat to the Russian Federation because we are self-sufficient in ensuring our own security," he stated.
Regarding the conflict with Ukraine, Putin claims that his army holds a "strategic advantage" and is advancing "every day" on the front line of the offensive launched in 2022 against the neighboring country.
"Our troops are advancing along the entire contact line. More or less every day, but they advance every day. And the advance will continue," the president said at a press conference in St. Petersburg.
Russia shoots down 81 Ukrainian drones during Putin's meeting with foreign media
Russian anti-aircraft defenses shot down a total of 81 Ukrainian drones during the same night that Russian President, Vladimir Putin, met with foreign media in St. Petersburg.
"Between 9:20 p.m. on June 18 and 6:40 a.m. on June 19, Moscow time, the anti-aircraft systems intercepted and destroyed 81 Ukrainian drones of the aircraft type," the Russian Ministry of Defense reported via its Telegram channel.
Most of the interceptions occurred over the Russian regions of Bryansk (19), Kursk (17), and Smolensk (13). Seven others were intercepted flying over the Volgograd region, six over Oryol, five in Rostov, three in Belgorod, another three in Astrakhan, two in Ryazan, and one in the Moscow region.
Ukraine neutralizes 88 of the 104 drones launched by Russia
Ukraine's air defenses neutralized 88 of the 104 drones launched by Russia against Ukrainian territory overnight, as reported by the Ukrainian Air Force on Thursday.
Forty of the neutralized drones were shot down, while the other 48 were neutralized through electronic interference.
The interceptions took place over the territory of various regions in the north, east, south, and center of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force was unable to prevent drone impacts in six different locations.
Ukraine reproaches Russia for rejecting ceasefire calls for a hundred days
Ukraine reproached Russia on Thursday for its refusal, for a hundred days now, to accept ceasefire calls promoted by the United States, in order to end three years of war.
"Today marks exactly one hundred days since Ukraine unconditionally accepted the U.S. peace proposal for a total ceasefire, an end to killings, and the start of a true peace process. It also marks exactly one hundred days since Russia has rejected this fundamental first step towards peace," stated Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiga, in a statement.
Putin insists that the attack on Kyiv targeted military facilities
Vladimir Putin considers the recent attack by Russian forces on the Ukrainian capital, which left over twenty dead according to Kyiv, was aimed at the country's military capabilities.
"The attack was not against residential areas, but against military industry facilities," Putin said, adding that the operation targeted "military equipment manufacturing plants."
"This is what we do, and it's no secret, as one of the objectives of the special military operation is the demilitarization of Ukraine," he affirmed.
According to the latest statement from Ukrainian emergency services, at least 23 people died in various locations in the Ukrainian capital as a result of the massive Russian missile and drone attack early Tuesday morning.
Russian forces advance "every day" along "all" the front line in Ukraine
Vladimir Putin asserts that his army holds a "strategic advantage" in Ukraine and is advancing "every day" on the front line of the offensive launched in 2022 against the neighboring country.
"Our troops are advancing along the entire contact line. More or less every day, but they advance every day. And the advance will continue," the president said at a press conference in St. Petersburg.
Sending Taurus missiles from Germany to Kyiv would "completely" ruin ties with Berlin
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, stated on Thursday that the delivery of long-range Taurus missiles from Germany to Ukraine would "completely" ruin bilateral relations and have no impact on Moscow's offensive.
"Everyone knows that if this happens, it will not affect the course of the fighting. That is out of the question. But it will completely ruin our relations," Putin assured during a dialogue in St. Petersburg with foreign press, including AFP.
Argentina claims to have detected Russian spies promoting disinformation
Argentina claims to have identified a group of Russian spies engaging in "suspicious activities" in the country to promote Moscow's geopolitical interests through the dissemination of fake news, stated presidential spokesperson, Manuel Adorni, on Wednesday.
The State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE) identified an organization called "The Company," allegedly linked to the Russian government and the Lakhta project, which the United States describes as an operation based in Russia to carry out political and electoral interference actions.
Adorni detailed in a press conference that Russian citizen Lev Konstantinovich Andriashvili, residing in Argentina, leads the organization alongside his wife, Irina Yakovenko, also Russian. Both were responsible for "receiving funding and promoting links with local collaborators," according to Adorni.
Putin willing to meet Zelensky only at the end of peace negotiations
Putin expressed readiness to meet with Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, but only in the final phase of peace negotiations. "We also want to end this (conflict) as soon as possible. And preferably through peaceful means," Putin said during an informational meeting with representatives of major global news agencies, including EFE, at the St. Petersburg International Forum.
Putin stated that he would have no issue meeting with Zelensky if the Ukrainian state entrusts him to lead the negotiations, but he once again questioned his legitimacy as head of state, claiming that his mandate, according to Russia, expired in May 2024. "The issue is who will sign the documents," he said.