Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is not preparing for any conflict with Europe, addressing concerns from some European NATO members about the possibility of Moscow attacking alliance territory. Putin emphasized that Russia has no reason to escalate tensions with European countries and dismissed claims that Moscow was gearing up for hostilities.
In his remarks, Putin also mentioned that Russia is contemplating the resumption of peace talks with Ukraine following recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. He highlighted that Moscow would thoroughly evaluate its next steps before making a decision on re-engaging in negotiations.
Despite these statements, Russian airstrikes across Ukraine have persisted, causing significant casualties and damage to both civilian and industrial infrastructure. A recent attack in Kyiv resulted in the deaths of seven people, including a 14-year-old boy, and left dozens injured.
Additionally, ArcelorMittal announced the shutdown of production at Ukraine’s largest steel plant after sustained Russian strikes inflicted damage and resulted in worker fatalities. This development adds to the economic pressures facing Ukraine as the conflict continues.