How Vladimir Putin explains the declaration that the war is “nearing the end”, after again refusing to give concrete terms
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that the claim he made on May 9 that the war in Ukraine was “coming to an end” was based on an analysis of the progress made by Moscow's forces on the battlefield, according to Reuters.
Putin again declined to give a specific timetable for ending the war, but says Russia remains ready to continue talks for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
The Russian leader's statements come in the context in which, on May 9, when Russia was celebrating Victory Day in the Second World War, he had stated that the war in Ukraine “is coming to an end” and that Moscow was willing to hold talks with the Europeans.
On Friday, he accused the West of lying when it claims Russia is preparing for war with Europe.
Vladimir Putin also said the Western media should be ashamed of their handling of what Moscow says was a drone attack by Ukrainian forces on a student dormitory in Russian-held Lugansk that killed 21 people.
What he said about Kaliningrad
Also Friday, Vladimir Putin was asked by reporters about remarks made this month by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, who said “we need to show the Russians that we are capable of penetrating the little fortress they have built in Kaliningrad.”
In response, the Russian leader said that Moscow has all the necessary means to destroy anyone who tries to attack the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, according to Reuters.
Separately, responding to a question about reports that Russian intelligence services say Ukraine has sent drone operators to Latvia, Putin said any location that poses a threat to Russia is considered a legitimate target by Moscow.
