Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia is prepared to reach a peaceful settlement with Ukraine, provided Kyiv is also willing to make compromises as part of a negotiated agreement.
Speaking to reporters in St. Petersburg, Putin revealed that US President Donald Trump had encouraged Russia to make certain concessions to advance a peace deal. According to Putin, Moscow is ready to take such steps if Ukraine demonstrates a similar commitment to negotiations.
“We are absolutely ready and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine through peaceful means,” the Russian leader said. However, he stressed that Russia remains capable of achieving its military objectives and continues to advance on the battlefield.
Putin’s remarks came a day after Ukrainian drones targeted an oil terminal and a naval base in St. Petersburg during a major international economic forum. In response, he acknowledged the need to strengthen Russia’s air defence capabilities and pledged improvements to the country’s defensive systems.
The Russian president also said Moscow is considering expanding the use of its hypersonic Oreshnik missile against Ukrainian cities. He noted that the weapon has not yet been employed to its full potential. Putin has previously stated that the missile can travel at ten times the speed of sound and is capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Meanwhile, Putin rejected suggestions that Russia’s military campaign had become a strategic failure. Instead, he claimed Russian forces were advancing across the entire front line and gaining additional territory.
He further asserted that Russia now controls all of the Luhansk region, more than 85 percent of the Donetsk region and roughly 80 percent of the Zaporizhzhia region. According to Putin, Russian troops have recently captured about 2,440 square kilometres of territory.
While acknowledging that Ukrainian drone attacks have caused damage inside Russia, Putin argued that Moscow retains significant military advantages. He said Russia possesses its own industrial resources, workforce and technological capabilities, whereas Ukraine remains heavily dependent on military assistance from Western allies.
