Russia is effectively standing alone against the full might of NATO, the president said during a meeting at the Kremlin

Published 13 Jun, 2026 01:30 | Updated 13 Jun, 2026 06:06

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with service members at the Kremlin, Moscow, June 12, 2026. ©  Vyacheslav Prokofyev / Sputnik

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about the Ukraine conflict and tensions with the West during a meeting with service members at the Kremlin on Friday.

The event took place on Russia Day, which celebrates Russia’s declaration of sovereignty on June 12, 1990, a year before the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The president spoke about technologies designed to give Russian troops the edge on the battlefield, as well as the country’s overall economic resilience. He also discussed mistakes made by the West in its approach to the conflict.

Offensive in Ukraine

Around 700,000 soldiers are involved in the military operation against Ukraine, Putin said, noting that the army continues to steadily advance along the front line. He expressed confidence that Russia will succeed in liberating the parts of Donbass that remain under Ukrainian control.

 

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“Step by step, although not as quickly as we would like, we are nevertheless advancing every day and gradually gaining control over territory. We will accomplish our objectives. There can be no doubt about that,” he said.

Putin reiterated that Russia launched the military operation in Ukraine in February 2022 after it became clear that Kiev would not uphold the 2014-2015 Minsk agreements between Ukraine and the then-breakaway Donbass republics, which have since voted to become part of Russia.

AI drones

Russian defense companies are working on new drones, including systems incorporating AI technology, Putin said, adding that the results will be visible in the near future.

He said the Russian Defense Ministry is being transformed into a “high-tech institution,” while the authorities are streamlining procurement procedures and removing red tape.

 

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Starlink rival

Putin said a low-Earth-orbit satellite communications system currently being developed in Russia could outperform Elon Musk’s Starlink, which is extensively used by Ukraine.

“It is every bit as good as Starlink, possibly even better,” he said, referring to the Rassvet system being developed by Russian aerospace company Bureau 1440.

In March, the company launched the first 16 satellites of a planned constellation expected to include more than 250 satellites by late 2027 and 900 by 2035.

Alone against NATO

“Russia is effectively standing alone against NATO,” Putin said, arguing that the members of the US-led military bloc are de facto involved in the conflict through their military support for Ukraine.

“Together, they thought they could quickly inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. They have not succeeded, and they never will,” he said.

Putin added that the West will fail to divide Russian society and undermine the economy.

 

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The president said Ukraine’s long-range strikes are “unable to cause serious problems” and that the affected regions are “recovering quickly” from the damage. Putin added that Russia “will intensify strikes on [Ukrainian] infrastructure” to deter attacks on civilian targets.

Advice for the West

Putin urged Western officials to abandon ultimatums in favor of negotiations.

“We can offer only one piece of advice to our adversaries: Never attempt to wage war against Russia. Let us all live in peace and resolve all issues through negotiations,” he said.

“We are prepared for talks, but only if our national interests are taken into account.”