Vladimir Putin assessed prospects for resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine during the plenary session of the 11th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osoryn Uchral, Myanmar Vice President Nyo Saw and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang also took part in the session.
Putin said he believed the United States would focus on relations with Russia after the Ukraine crisis was resolved. Saying that Russia and Ukraine should reach an agreement between themselves, Putin said other countries, including the United States and China, were ready to support the process.
Putin said Russia and Ukraine were the parties to the conflict and described resolving the issue between the two sides as the right approach. Asked whether there was a chance of a solution, he replied: “I think there is.”
Accusations against Ukraine
Putin alleged that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had threatened Russian civil aviation. Describing this stance as a “manifestation of state terrorism,” Putin said it made it more difficult to conduct peace talks.
Putin alleged that Ukraine’s Western allies, which remained silent about the situation, were complicit in international terrorism. Saying that contacts with the United States were continuing, he expressed hope that they would continue.
Putin said he supported restoring full-format relations between Russia and the United States, adding that this depended on the positions of both sides. He said U.S. President Donald Trump was interested in the matter and expressed hope that the contacts would produce positive results.
Putin also said that contacts with the Ukrainian side were continuing through intelligence services.
Putin rejects mobilization claims
Putin alleged that the Ukrainian army had carried out attacks on civilian infrastructure in Russia and said Russia had responded. Saying that work was continuing to repair oil refineries hit in Russia, Putin stated that 10 percent of the repairs remained.
Speaking about the fuel situation in Russia, Putin said, “We must be prepared for everything,” and rejected claims that a new mobilization wave 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 in terms of 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.
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 procedures.
