Summary:
On 4 June 2026, President Vladimir Putin met with the heads of major international news agencies at Constantine Palace during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The session, moderated by TASS Director General Andrei Kondrashov, covered the military situation in Ukraine, the operational status of the Oreshnik missile system, prospects for peace negotiations, and Russia’s bilateral relations with China, India, and Kazakhstan. Putin asserted that Russian forces are advancing across all fronts in Ukraine and detailed significant territorial control and Ukrainian personnel challenges, including high desertion rates linked to forced mobilisation. He described recent Oreshnik missile strikes as observational exercises, not full combat deployments, and reiterated Russia’s readiness for a negotiated settlement based on terms discussed in Anchorage. On bilateral relations, Putin emphasised the depth and continuity of partnerships with China, India, and Kazakhstan, rejecting the notion of a reactive foreign policy shift. The discussion provided a comprehensive overview of Russia’s current diplomatic and strategic posture as presented to the international press.
Detailed Report
1. On the Military Situation in Ukraine
During the session, Associated Press News Director for Europe and Africa, James Jordan confronted Russian President Vladimir Putin with a series of recent setbacks for Russia, including Ukrainian drone attacks that struck a naval base and an oil depot near St. Petersburg, sending plumes of smoke over the city and disrupting flights. Citing a weakening Russian economy, falling approval ratings for Putin, and blunt US criticism — with Senator Marco Rubio calling the invasion a “strategic disaster” — Jordan asked the Russian leader:
“Given this, is it still
logical to pursue your war aim of controlling the Donbass region, or are you
ready to make a deal?”
Putin responded:
“First of all, one does not exclude the other. Controlling the entire Donbass region and making a deal are not mutually exclusive.”
Putin elaborated that Russian forces are advancing along the entire line of contact, stating there is no position where Russian troops are not progressing. He reported that Russian forces currently hold 100% of the Lugansk People's Republic, over 85% of the Donetsk People's Republic, and approximately 80% of the Zaporozhye Region, with around 2,440 square kilometres recently brought under Russian control.
Addressing the personnel situation in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Putin stated that recently Ukrainian forces have been reduced by approximately 100,000 personnel, with monthly combat losses running at about 40,000. Forced mobilisation, according to Putin, yields only 15,000–16,000 new recruits per month, with an additional 14,000 returning from hospitals, resulting in a net monthly deficit of approximately 10,000 troops. He further noted that around 20,000 Ukrainian personnel desert each month, with approximately 200,000 criminal cases already filed for desertion. Putin directly attributed these high desertion rates to the practice of forced mobilisation, asserting: “People, as you know, are being snatched off the streets, like stray dogs, and forced into the army … there is no motivation, no one wants to fight.”
On air defence, Putin acknowledged that some Ukrainian long-range unmanned aerial vehicles “do break through” Russian defences and stated that Russia's air defence system requires further refinement and reinforcement. He characterised Ukraine's air defence situation as “catastrophic” and cited Russia's advantages in hypersonic and cruise missile capabilities.
2. Discussion on the Oreshnik Missile System and Potential Deployment
Moderator Andrei Kondrashov raised the subject of retaliatory strikes and the development of the Oreshnik missile system. Putin confirmed that the Oreshnik has not undergone conventional proving-ground testing. He described recent strikes at Belaya Tserkov and a fortified zone in the Donetsk People's Republic as observational exercises rather than full combat deployments, noting that Russian drones flew into struck structures following impact to measure warhead dispersal results “to the millimetre.” Putin indicated that this groundwork is being laid for future decisions on full-scale deployment “against designated targets, including urban areas.”
3. Peace Negotiations and the Anchorage Framework
Following the discussion on Ukraine, Putin addressed the prospects for a negotiated settlement. He stated:
“Without doubt, we are ready and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine by peaceful means — and based on what we have discussed at the meeting with President Trump in Anchorage.”
Putin indicated that Russia accepts the compromises discussed during the Anchorage meeting, and that resolution of the conflict is contingent upon Ukraine agreeing to those same terms:
“It is necessary that Ukraine also agrees to make them. Then, the conflict will be resolved naturally and quickly.”
Putin also referenced United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, describing him as “a serious partner” with whom Russia remains in contact.
4. On Russia-China Relations
Fu Hua of Xinhua News Agency raised the question of Russia-China relations, noting Putin's recent twenty-fifth visit to China and more than fifty meetings with President Xi Jinping over fourteen years, and asked what steps both countries are taking to protect shared historical narratives. Putin characterised the relationship as one of genuine strategic depth. He cited the 2001 Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation as the foundational framework of the relationship, with bilateral trade currently standing at approximately $250 billion. Putin identified artificial intelligence, high technology, biology, and genetics as priority areas for future cooperation, and indicated that new energy agreements are anticipated.
5. On Russia-India Relations
Vijay Joshi of Press Trust of India asked how Russia-India relations can sustain momentum given India's close alignment with Washington. Putin characterised the relationship as a “special and privileged strategic partnership,” grounded in a partnership that traces its roots to the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1947. Bilateral trade currently stands at $58–60 billion, with a stated target of $100 billion. Key areas of cooperation include nuclear energy — notably the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant — hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals, and investment. Putin dismissed the notion that external pressure could alter India's trajectory, stating:
“Pressuring Prime Minister Modi, who leads a country with a population of 1.5 billion, is futile.”
He concluded:
“Russia and India continue to strengthen their partnership, and we regard India as a reliable partner.”
6. On Russia-Kazakhstan Relations
Raushan Kazhibayeva of the Television and Radio Complex of the President of Kazakhstan asked about the “seven foundations of friendship” document and the symbolic significance of recent bilateral gestures. Putin described the relationship as “advancing steadily” while also acknowledging Kazakhstan as a “demanding partner.” He highlighted cooperation in the construction of a nuclear power plant expected to supply up to 20 percent of Kazakhstan’s electricity, joint uranium production, space, machine engineering, and educational exchanges, including the Sirius system.
Conclusion
The session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2026 provided a substantive account of Russia's current positions across a range of strategic and bilateral issues. On Ukraine, Putin maintained that military objectives and diplomatic resolution are not mutually exclusive, while presenting a detailed case for the deteriorating personnel position of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He signalled openness to a negotiated settlement on the basis of the Anchorage framework, with conditionality placed on Ukrainian acceptance. On bilateral relations, Putin emphasised the depth and durability of partnerships with China, India, and Kazakhstan, each framed as a pillar of Russia's broader foreign policy posture. The session provided no indication of any imminent shift in Russia's fundamental strategic objectives.