Russia is in dialogue with its Iranian colleagues, contacts will continue tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. “I am personally in touch with the Prime Minister of Israel and with US President Donald Trump.“
This was stated by the Russian president at a meeting with journalists from leading world news agencies on the sidelines of the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg.
“We are in constant contact with our Iranian partners. Our specialists are working in “Busher“ /b.r. the only nuclear power plant in the country, built by "Rosatom"/ is located in the city of the same name and we are not leaving. Isn't this support? Iran has not asked us for any other support and I repeat, we have given our assessments.“
Currently, the society in Iran, “with all the complexity of the ongoing internal political processes“, is uniting around the country's leadership: “This happens almost always and everywhere, so Iran is no exception.“
“It seems to me that it would be right for everyone to look for ways to end hostilities and find ways for all parties to this conflict to come to an agreement among themselves in order to guarantee both the interests of Iran, on the one hand, and its nuclear activities, including peaceful nuclear activities, of course. I mean both peaceful nuclear energy and peaceful atoms in other areas. And to guarantee Israel's interests from the point of view of the unconditional security of the Jewish state. This is a delicate issue, but in my opinion, in general, such a solution can be found.“
US President Donald Trump's intention to resume relations between the United States and Russia in various areas is very respectful.
American business is interested in relations with the Russian Federation: “This generally inspires some cautious optimism. And we expect that both the President of the United States and his close circle will see this, hear it, and together with business representatives, decisions will be made aimed at restoring Russian-American relations.
Russia has contacts with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Vice President Vance: “In general, conditions are gradually being created for the restoration of relations. We hope that this trend will continue. We are ready for this.“
“As for a possible meeting with Mr. Trump, it would certainly be extremely useful. But I agree with the President of the United States that it should be prepared and end with some positive results.“
Russia has been trying to reach an agreement to resolve the situation in southeastern Ukraine for eight years: “We have been suffering for eight years, do you understand? It's a pity for the people, they've been mocked for eight years. And they're still mocking the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian-speaking population. Everyone pretended not to notice anything. In the end, we decided to put an end to this conflict. Yes, using our armed forces."
Russia has not started hostilities in Ukraine, but is trying to stop them: „The current Ukrainian leadership only started a war on its own territory after the coup d'état that took place in Kiev, using armed forces, including heavy equipment and aviation, against the civilian population of the then southeast of Ukraine - against Donbas: Lugansk and Donetsk."
It is necessary not only to stop the Ukrainian conflict in its current form, but also to find a solution „in a long-term historical perspective“.
„The losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine exceed the level of mobilization. What next? We agree to sit down and negotiate.“
The illegitimacy of the Ukrainian leadership shows the lack of a legally viable system of power there: “The signature must be of the legitimate authorities. Otherwise, you know, the next one will come and throw everything in the trash. But this is not possible, we are solving serious problems.“
“We are ready to hold substantive negotiations on the principles of settlement, but only if the Ukrainian side is also ready for this. And its Western sponsors and so-called allies do not insist on fighting to the last Ukrainian, but stop at the realities of today. And they insist on agreements, not on continuing hostilities. Our negotiating teams are in contact."
Instead of lying about the Russian threat, European authorities should focus on saving their car industry and raising wages: “The legend that Russia will attack Europe, NATO countries, is the same incredible lie that they are trying to make the population of Western European countries believe. We understand that this is nonsense. Those who say this do not believe it themselves."
Increasing NATO countries' defense spending to 5% of GDP makes no sense, since Russia mitigates any emerging threats by constantly improving its defense capabilities: “Because we are self-sufficient in terms of ensuring our security."
The leaders of European countries that have broken off contacts with Russia, deciding to “deal us a strategic defeat on the battlefield“, can resume cooperation if they wish: “We are open.”
Russia began to develop relations with Asian countries back in the 2000s thanks to economic growth, and this is not out of opportunism: “We noticed this trend back in the beginning of the 2000s, if not the end of the 90s. Then relations with China began to be built. This is not a matter of chance, all this is happening largely thanks to the growth of the volume and quality of the Chinese and Russian economies.“
“We have planned investment projects worth $200 billion on both sides. And all of them are realistic, all of them will be implemented. I have no doubts.“
Interest in the Chinese language is growing in Russia: “There is nothing surprising here. As soon as economic activity increases, the need immediately arises for specialists who speak English, German, and in the 19th century, French. It is still considered the language of diplomatic communication.“
The president mentioned for the first time that he has a granddaughter who speaks Chinese fluently with her teacher in Beijing.
The countries of Southeast Asia surpass the world indicators in terms of their share in world trade and economic growth rates “and we believe that they are very promising partners for us.“
Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization is not directed against third countries: “We are only talking about ensuring security in the region of our responsibility.“
“Almost all of Kazakhstan's oil is exported through Russia. But we understand that Kazakhstan is interested in diversification and we are ready to cooperate.“
„Serious projects in the field of nuclear energy may arise, both in Uzbekistan and in Kazakhstan. We are working seriously on this and are at a good stage of development of these projects."
Russia is developing cooperation with Belarus: „We have issues that we argue about. Moreover, these disputes are continuous, on an ongoing basis. In the end, we all find solutions, because we strive to search sincerely."
„The level of trade turnover between Russia and Belarus has reached $50 billion. These are serious figures. And the growth continues. It continues, including through cooperation."
Russia and Azerbaijan are developing joint projects in logistics and production, in particular shipbuilding: “In general, if we talk about Azerbaijan, our trade turnover increased by 7% last year. I think this is a good indicator."
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where leading countries are represented, can have a positive impact on the world economy, Putin stressed.
“Predictions that world trade will slow down have some basis.“
Although the forum does not set itself “such an ambitious goal“ as influencing the entire global economic agenda and modifying it, the very fact that it is becoming increasingly popular is important.
„And considering that it will be attended by colleagues from many countries who occupy leading positions in the economic sphere and especially in terms of economic volume, in terms of their influence on the processes in the global economy, we expect that this will have a positive effect on these processes“.