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Headline: Putin: Russia Needs ‘Solid, Durable Peace’ Backed by Guarantees in Ukraine

Article:

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his stance on the Ukraine conflict, stressing the need for a durable, long-lasting peace, rather than just a ceasefire. In his annual press conference combined with the Direct Line with the Russian citizens, Putin emphasized that a prolonged truce would only give the opposing side an opportunity to regroup and reinforce its personnel.

The Russian leader warned that Ukraine’s military equipment, ammunition, and personnel were nearing exhaustion. "Ukraine’s military-technical potential is being gradually exhausted," Putin stated, highlighting the weariness of Ukrainian forces and supplies.

Putin succinctly dismissed the possibility of a new gas transit contract via Ukraine, stating, "There will be no such contract, it’s all clear. So, let’s endure it." He clarified that it was Ukraine who had terminated the contract, not Russia, despite receiving annual payments of between $700 million and $800 million.

The Russian President applauded the peace initiatives of China, Brazil, and South Africa, describing them as sincere attempts to resolve the conflict. However, he noted that Ukraine’s insistence on regaining all lost territories, including Crimea, presents a significant hurdle to any peace agreement.

China and Brazil had previously presented a joint memorandum outlining six points for a political resolution to the crisis. The document emphasizes diplomatic negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and proposes a peace conference involving all parties.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense of Russia confirmed an attack using six U.S.-origin ATACMS tactical operational missiles and four Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles launched from Ukrainian territory against the Kámenski Kombinat plant in the Rostov region. Although most missiles were intercepted, one Storm Shadow missile crashed into the factory’s infrastructure, causing damage. Russia vowed that these actions would not go unanswered.

Source: Sputnik

Internal Linking:

• Rusia notifico a EEUU antes de lanzar en Ucrania misil de alcance medio en respuesta a ataques con misiles occidentales

External Linking:

• Ministry of Defense of Russia