Putin's Main Statements at the Meeting with Special Operation Participants on Russia Day
On Russia Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with participants of the special military operation. The head of state spoke about the course of hostilities, confrontation with the West, development of military technologies, and prospects for negotiations. The main points from the president's statements.
On the Special Operation and the Military
The head of state stated that the participants of the special operation are directly engaged in defending the Motherland and the fatherland, so Russia Day is their day.
The president emphasized that assault units have always played a decisive role in completing battles and military conflicts, as it is the infantry and assault troops that ultimately ensure the execution of combat missions.
According to the head of state, he tries to regularly maintain contact with representatives of various branches of the military taking part in the special operation, from ordinary servicemen to commanders.
Vladimir Putin also announced the size of the Russian group in the zone of the special operation, stating that it exceeds 700,000 people.
He noted that Russia is not advancing as quickly as desired, but it is making progress every day in the zone of the special military operation. The Russian government is thinking about how to employ veterans after the end of the special operation.
In addition, the president stated that it is necessary to perpetuate the names of fallen heroes of the special operation, naming schools and streets after them.
On the Conflict in Ukraine
According to the head of state, Russia is almost alone in opposing the entire collective West in the form of NATO. He noted that NATO countries unleashed a military conflict against Russia, which began with a coup in Ukraine. He added that Russia did not start hostilities at the beginning of the special operation; they carried out a coup in Ukraine, then that forced Russia to take the residents of Crimea under protection, and then they unleashed a military conflict.
Russia waited 8 years for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Donbass but was forced to protect people there by other means. The Russian economy suffers damage from attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), but everything is quickly restored, said Vladimir Putin.
On the Conflict in Ukraine
Russia is almost alone opposing the entire collective West in the form of NATO.
According to the president, NATO countries started a war against Russia, which began with a coup in Ukraine. "We did not start hostilities at the beginning of the special operation. No. They carried out a coup in Ukraine, then that forced us to take the residents of Crimea under protection, then they unleashed a war," Putin said.
He noted that the enemy will not be able to divide Russian society or inflict the economic damage it seeks. To prevent Kyiv's attacks on Russian civilian targets, Russia intends to increase the force of retaliatory strikes.
On Technology and Weapons
According to the president, the Russian authorities have tried to minimize bureaucratic procedures as much as possible in the procurement and supply of necessary equipment for the army. Russia is actively developing the production of FPV drones, as well as drones with AI elements.
At the same time, Russia continues to expand its low-orbit satellite constellation, and work on its creation is proceeding at a good pace, which will be in no way inferior to Starlink, the head of state noted.
On Negotiations and Enemies
Europe has united more than once to conflict with Russia, noted Vladimir Putin.
At the same time, the Russian president advised his enemies never to fight with Russia, not to attempt to do so. He called for living in friendship and resolving all issues through negotiations. The Russian leader emphasized: "But these must be negotiations, not ultimatums."
