Putin threatened Ukraine with new attacks on its energy sector
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin stated that the negotiation process to end the war against Ukraine is allegedly “frozen.” At the same time, he threatened new massive strikes against Ukraine’s energy sector and claimed that Russian troops are allegedly continuing to advance on the front lines.
Vladimir Putin stated that negotiations to end Russia’s war against Ukraine are not currently making active progress. According to him, the process is supposedly in a “frozen” state. At the same time, Putin stated that Moscow does not object to expanding the circle of participants in the negotiations. He said that Russia is ready to include additional parties if, in his opinion, they can make a concrete contribution to the process. “We are in favor of negotiations being filled with concrete substance. If someone makes or can make a concrete contribution, we are all for it,” Putin said.
He added that he would not like to see negotiations just for the sake of negotiations. “The only thing I wouldn’t want is for everything to go on in a senseless manner,” the Russian dictator stated. According to Putin, if any country or representatives of other states can help advance the negotiations, Moscow is allegedly ready for such participation.
What Putin Said About Witkoff and Kushner
Putin also mentioned U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He stated that both American representatives remain welcome guests in Russia if they can contribute to the negotiation process.
“They are always welcome guests if they are able to make a positive contribution to the negotiation process,” Putin said. At the same time, the Russian dictator stated that negotiations require more than just politicians. In his view, experts, diplomats, and military officials should be involved in the process.
Putin Threatened Strikes on the Energy Sector
At the same time, Putin made yet another statement about strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He claims that the Russian Armed Forces have received orders to launch massive strikes against Ukraine’s energy facilities. “The Russian Armed Forces have received orders to destroy Ukraine’s energy sector with massive strikes,” Putin stated.
Thus, the Russian dictator has effectively threatened a new wave of strikes against Ukraine’s energy system. Russia regularly attacks Ukrainian energy facilities with missiles and drones. Such strikes have repeatedly resulted in damage to energy infrastructure and problems with electricity supply.
What Putin Said About the Front Lines
Speaking about the situation on the front lines, Putin claimed that Russian troops are allegedly accelerating their offensive. He also claimed that the Russian army continues to seize Ukrainian territories. According to him, in August alone, 270 square kilometers and 15 settlements allegedly came under Russian control.
These statements by Putin have not been independently verified. The Russian dictator also claimed that street fighting is allegedly ongoing in Dobropillia in the Donetsk region. He called the city an important logistics hub. In addition, Putin claimed that Russian troops are reportedly about 12 kilometers away from the ring road in Sumy.
The Ukrainian side has not confirmed these claims by the Russian leadership. Putin’s statements about the situation on the front lines should be viewed with the understanding that Moscow regularly portrays the course of hostilities in a light favorable to itself. At the same time, Putin stated that he has no doubt the Russian army will continue to advance. “I have no doubt that the enemy will crumble,” he said.
Putin mentioned Russian drones
Putin spoke separately about drones. He called them a serious challenge, but at the same time stated that Russia is allegedly coping with this problem. Russia and Ukraine are actively using drones in the war. They are employed both to strike military targets and to attack infrastructure and rear areas.
Ukraine also regularly launches drone strikes against military and industrial facilities on Russian territory.
On “Orcas” and “Bears”
While speaking with journalists, Putin also explained his earlier statement using the metaphor of orcas and bears. He used it when discussing a possible attempt to weaken Russia. “If anyone tries to drag us down the food chain, to eat us, to swallow us, they might get a bite in the face,” Putin said.
What Is Known About Contacts Between Russia and the U.S.
The Russian dictator also stated that representatives of the Russian and U.S. intelligence services continue to maintain contact. According to him, such contacts take place constantly, even despite the strained relations between the two countries.
As an example, Putin cited the recent handover to the U.S. of a U.S. citizen who had been held in a Russian prison. “There are always contacts; there always have been—even during the most difficult times of the Cold War—and now they are taking place even more frequently,” he said.
Thus, in his latest statements, Putin spoke simultaneously about diplomacy and the continuation of the war. He called the negotiation process “frozen” but stated Moscow’s readiness to accept additional participants. At the same time, the Russian dictator threatened massive strikes against Ukraine’s energy sector and claimed that Russian troops were making progress on the front lines. The Russian dictator made these remarks to Russian media following the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
During the summit in Bishkek, the Russian delegation, led by dictator Vladimir Putin, held a meeting with the Chinese delegation, where the Kremlin leader attempted to paint a rosy picture of a shared future for Russia and China to Xi Jinping. But the whole thing turned out rather pitifully.
