The Russian President was today (27.06.2025) Vladimir Putin On the course of the war in Ukraine, the possibility of new peace talks for the role played by Donald Trump in Russian -American relations but also for his country’s defense spending.
Speaking to reporters in Minsk, Belarus, Vladimir Putin initially referred to the US president, saying characteristically that He feeds “great respect” for Donald Trump and He is willing to meet him, Something that is quite “very likely”, but it requires a lot of careful preparation.
“Generally, thanks to President Trump, relations between Russia and the US are starting to normalize in some way. Not everything has been decided in the field of diplomatic relationships, but the first steps have been taken and we are moving forward. ” I really think the war wants to end and bring peace to Ukraine, “said Vladimir Putin.
He then added that Russia is ready to conduct a new round of peace negotiations with Ukrainepossibly in Constantinople, although the time and place have not yet been agreed.
He also emphasized there are big differences between the proposals made by the two sides in the previous conversations, but he expressed hope that Continuing dialogue will help reduce the gap.
Also, thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to support the process.
Putin said the negotiators on both sides are in constant contact. Russia was ready to return the corpses of another 3,000 Ukrainian soldierssaid the Russian president. So far, according to him, Moscow has returned the corpses of 12,000 Ukrainian soldiers.
However, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski accuses Russia of having his own soldiers.
“In the future we will reduce our military spending”
President Putin also stated that “Russia is facing fiscal pressure due to increased defense spending”, which have fueled inflation and that “It is ready to reduce military spending in the long run. “
“Our increased defense spending aims to help fulfill our goals in the Special Military Operation in Ukraine,” the Russian president said.
«Once our goals are achieved And the special business is over (as Russia calls the war in Ukraine), Expenditure will be reduced“, Putin stressed, commenting on the increase in defense spending agreed by NATO allies at the Hague Summit.
«Russia spends 6.5% of its GDP in defense spending“, Argued by the Russian president.