Putin says Russia will not attack Europe and blames Ukraine for the breakdown in peace talks
This is a brief summary of statements Vladimir Putin made to journalists on the sidelines of the United Cultures Forum in St. Petersburg. Their full meaning and context have been preserved, though some passages may have been edited or rearranged.
Shortly before the State Duma elections, Ukraine said it was ready to return to negotiations. Russia was prepared to resume contact after the elections. But on the main voting day, Kyiv attacked Moscow, launched more than 1,600 drones, and struck polling stations. After what they did, we’ll consider how to respond. We’ll decide whether to resume negotiations based on our own interests. Ukraine must feel the effects of Russia’s retaliatory strikes. The strikes are so destructive that Ukraine is raising the prospect of a ceasefire and trying to stop Russia’s “Geran” drone strikes. Kyiv’s provocations only make things worse for Ukraine. Russia is not preparing for military action against Europe; we have no such plans. European countries themselves are escalating tensions and engaging in provocations. They want to keep using Ukraine as a tool in their fight against Russia. We know that Russian speakers’ rights are being violated in the Baltic states, and we are responding with humanitarian measures.
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