Russian president Vladimir Putin declared ready to talk to German Chancellor Friedrich Merzem if he wanted to contact him. “We are always open to this,” Putin said in Petersburg in consequence to the question of the German Press Agency (DPA).
At the same time, the Kremlin leader warned against very serious harm to relations between Russia and Germany if the German government provided Ukraine with Taurus-type maneuvering missiles.
Putin talks to journalists
As all year at the global economical Forum in St. Petersburg (SPIEF) Putin met with representatives of global news agencies, including DPA. During the circular of questions he commented on various topics again.
Putin first spoke publically about Merz since his election as Chancellor in May. Merz had no contact with Putin since taking office, but repeatedly called on Kremlin leader in speeches, as well as during his visit to Kiev, to suspend his arms in the Russian war against Ukraine. The German Chancellor is criticized in Moscow, accused of seeking to face Russia.
Putin doesn't want Berlin as a mediator
Putin besides rejects Germany as a mediator in the war in Ukraine. As he said, from a Russian point of view Germany is not neutral, but they are on the side of Ukraine, they supply tanks and so are engaged in fighting, he argued. – German equipment was deployed not only in Ukraine, but besides in Kursk – in Russia – he argued.
When asked for a Taurus-type maneuvering missile, Putin warned against direct engagement Germany in war if the German government allows Ukrainians to usage this weapon. Only German officers can operate with taurus. What does that mean? That the Bundeswehr soldiers would usage German weapons for attacks in Russia," he said.
Unrealistic demands
Putin one more time set the terms of the gathering with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenski, whom Kiev is incapable to meet. “I am ready to meet anyone, including Zelenski,” he said. As he added, however, the question is, who would sign the peace agreement? Putin thus made it clear that Zelenski should not stay president of Ukraine.
Putin announced that talks held twice this year in Istanbul under the mediation of the Turkish government would proceed after 22 June. He estimated that the meetings had resulted in humanitarian issues, including the exchange of prisoners and the transfer of bodies of fallen soldiers.
Angry Putin
The leader of the Kremlin responded with anger to the question how Moscow could condemn Israeli raids on Iranian cities, erstwhile the Russian military itself kills many people in raids on Ukraine. – If your journalists saw our rockets supposedly destruct full districts, they would not be able to talk about it. They wouldn't survive," he said.
The Russian president argued that Russia only attacks military targets and weapons factories.
This runs counter to the massive demolition of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and the advanced number of civilians killed in nearly 3 and a half years of war. On Tuesday evening, at least 28 civilians were killed in the Russian raid on Kiev, including 23 residents of only 1 skyscraper.
NATO: Russia is not afraid of the arms race
According to Putin, Russia is not afraid of the NATO arms race due to the fact that Moscow is perfecting its armed forces. "Whatever NATO does, of course, poses any threats, but we limit the dangers that will occur," he said.
Putin added that the planned increase in defence spending in NATO countries to 5 percent of gross home product (GDP) is pointless, as Russia will guarantee its own safety. Putin besides called the lie of the claim that Russia is preparing to attack the NATO states.
Western intelligence services inform that Russian conquest plans go beyond Ukraine and that Russia will be able to attack NATO territory by 2029.
Putin has a granddaughter.
The Kremlin leader seldom talks about his family. Therefore, the crucial news for the Russian media was that Putin first mentioned his granddaughter. “When I talked about the fact that any of my relatives are learning Chinese, I talked about my granddaughter, who has a sitter from Beijing and speaks to her fluently in Chinese,” he said. Putin mentioned earlier that he was the grandpa of 2 children, but without giving names, age or sex to his grandchildren.
A session of questions and answers with information agencies during the economical Forum was held this time at the renewed Petersburg Conservatory. Russia uses the Forum to present itself to the planet and to argue the global isolation that the West seeks. By Saturday 20 1000 participants from 140 countries are expected.
