“The Russians And Ukrainians I am a single people, and in this sense all Ukraine is ours ». Is a Vladimir Putin particularly assertive what presents itself to the audience of International Economic Forum of St. Petersburg. Even if the shock statement follows tones only in part more conciliatory: the Russiamakes it clear, will continue to recognize the independence of Kiev but as long as it is one “Neutral state»(So you don’t enter the Born) and gives up the territories occupied by the troops of Fly.
There Russiaassured the head of the Kremlin participating in a debate together with some foreign guests, “does not seek the capitulation ofUkrainebut only the recognition of the realities that emerged on the ground ». And this follows another sentence with effect. «It is an old rule – he says – where there is the foot of the soldier Russianthat’s ours ». A rule that does not seem to be worth only for the territories where its troops are already present. The leader Russian In fact, it does not exclude to aim to conquer the northern city of Sumyin the advance of troops who have the mission to create a “safety band»In the territory Ukrainian along the border with the region Russian Of Kurskthat the forces of Kiev They tried to invade, being rejected after many months of fighting. The depth of this buffer area that i Russian They are trying to create is “between 10 and 12 kilometers,” he explained Putin. “Further there is Sumythe regional capital – he added -. We do not have this goal of conquering Sumybut in the beginning I do not exclude it ».
Meanwhile, however, the troops of Fly They continue to advance on other fronts. In the Region of Kharkivfor example, east of that of Sumywhere the Ministry of Defense has announced the conquest of a new village, Moskovkaimmediately north of the city of Kupyansk. But Putin he was unable to ignore the concerns that emerged right Forum of St. Petersburg for the future ofRussian economy.
«Some specialists and experts highlight the risks of stagnation and even of recession And this, of course, cannot be tolerated in any circumstance, “said the head of Kremlin. Risks highlighted during a debate from Minister of Economic Development, Maxim Reshetnikovaccording to which the Russia It is precisely “on the verge of a transition to the recession” and that “everything depends on the decisions” of economic policy which will be taken. According to the International Monetary FundThe National GDP recorded in 2024 a growth of 3.8%, but for the 2025 A braking is expected at 1.5%.
On the side Ukrainian of the front, the president Volodymyr Zelensky made it known that a person died and 20 others were injured in a Russian bombing on the port city of Odessa. “There Russia He continues his tactics of terror aimed at our people, “he denounced the leader Ukrainianreturning to ask for “strong pressures” on Fly by the countries of the G7 and of the EU. In particular with penalties on energy sector with the 30 dollar reduction per barrel of the maximum purchase price of the petrolium sold by Flywhich is benefiting in these days of a rise in the prices due to Conflict between Israel and Iran.
Zelensky Meanwhile, he has appointed the new head of the Earth forces, Gennadiy Shapovalovto replace a previous commander who had resigned following an attack Russian on a military training camp with a balance of 12 deaths and 60 injured. The President said that “changes are needed” in the conduct of military operations in front of the advance Russian. FlyFinally, he announced that he had made a new one Exchange of prisoners with theUkraine Based on the agreements reached during the Russian-Ukrainian direct negotiations of 2 June a Istanbul. The number of soldiers freed from each of the parties was not announced.