Kathrine Frich
He also opened the door to talks.
International summits often feature leaders speaking grandly about harmony while their actual policies push in the opposite direction.
That exact paradox just played out in Central Asia.
The latest remarks from one prominent leader offer a stark split between words and actions.
A surprising declaration
Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a Tuesday summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He used the gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to make an unexpected statement about the ongoing conflict.
According to Reuters cited by WP, the leader claimed Moscow wants to stop the fighting. “We want to end the war and achieve lasting and complete peace throughout Ukraine and Europe,” he told reporters.
He also opened the door to talks. “We are ready to engage in this negotiation process with anyone who expresses such a will,” Putin added.
Reuters noted that these comments marked his most detailed public thoughts on the invasion in several weeks.
Admitting real damage
The press briefing featured a rare confession. Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian drone strikes have inflicted actual harm inside Russian borders.
These remote attacks now pose a severe challenge for his government. It was an unusual moment of transparency regarding the domestic toll of the conflict.
Even so, the president projected supreme confidence in his armed forces on the battlefield.
“I have no doubt that the enemy will collapse,” he stated flatly.
Preparing new strikes
Those confident words quickly clashed with his earlier calls for global harmony. Almost immediately after suggesting peace, the Russian leader confirmed plans for further violence.
Moscow intends to push forward with its offensive operations against the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. The military strategy remains deeply aggressive.
At the same time, the government is preparing to launch massive new bombardments against the Ukrainian energy grid.
Denying draft rumors
Reporters also pressed the politician on widespread whispers about a new military draft. Speculation has grown recently that Russia plans to rapidly expand its troop numbers for the front lines.
Putin firmly rejected these reports. He dismissed the mobilization claims as “complete nonsense” and labeled them an organized “information attack” directed at his nation.
The summit provided a friendly venue for these remarks. The international block includes ten member states, counting regional powers like China and India among its ranks.
Sources: Reuters, Russian media
