Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at the plenary session of the VTB investment forum "Russia Calling!", where he made a number of statements about the situation at the front, relations with Europe, and threats to Ukrainian maritime infrastructure.
Putin claimed that Pokrovsk (which he calls "Krasnoarmeysk") is allegedly "completely in the hands of the Russian army". According to him, the city was a "powerful fortified area" and will now become a "good bridgehead" for further advancement. The Russian leader invited foreign journalists, including Ukrainian ones, to visit the city and "see everything with their own eyes".
Separately, Putin voiced threats against Ukrainian maritime infrastructure. He promised to expand strikes on Ukrainian ports and ships entering these ports — allegedly in response to "tanker attacks". In addition, he threatened to "cut Ukraine off from the sea" if Kyiv continues what he called "piracy" against Russian vessels. Putin did not specify what exactly is meant by "piracy".
Regarding relations with Europe, the RF president stated that Russia "is not going to fight with European countries", but immediately added that in case of war, Moscow is "ready for it right now", and Europe will "soon have no one to negotiate with".
In a manner characteristic of Kremlin rhetoric, Putin claimed that the Russian army is acting in Ukraine "surgically", and called what is happening "not a war". According to him, in case of a European attack, "it will be different".
