Russian President Vladimir Putin said, on Tuesday, that the Russian armed forces currently hold the initiative on the contact line in Ukraine and are taking all actions they consider essential.

"Assessing the current situation on the ground, on the contact line, one can say with confidence that our troops have the initiative. In essence, we are doing what we think is necessary," Putin said during a Defense Ministry meeting.

The belief in the impregnability of Western military equipment has been shattered, Putin remarked.
 
"This current year, thanks to consequent implementation of the state armaments program, coordinated work of the defense industry, the share of modern weapons, and equipment in the strategic nuclear forces has reached 95% in general," Putin added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he mentioned that the significance of the nuclear triad has notably increased, stating that 15 Yars and Avangard launchers would be supplied to the strategic forces by year-end. Additionally, the President highlighted the modernization of Russia's strategic aviation with four Tu-160M missile carriers already commissioned.

The US dragged Europe, Russia into war 

Putin stated that while the United States had expressed considerable concern about Russia's improving relations with Europe, Moscow had no intentions of entering into conflict with Europe, both in the past and at present.

"[The US] was very frightened by Russia's rapprochement with Europe. It should be the masters there. It kept scaring ... evil Russia is threatening you. But I talked to many leaders and they tell me: 'Why are they scaring us? We understand that Russia is not going to fight with Europe.' Yes, we are not going to [fight] now," Putin said.

The United States intentionally drew Russia and Europe into a conflict, achieving its objective, as stated by the President. However, Moscow had no alternative options, and the President emphasized that Russia had not intervened and would not intervene in European affairs.

"And now, [the US] is also shifting the burden of financial responsibility and payments onto Europe. And the weak-willed and spineless generation of today’s politicians in Europe cannot resist this, given the colossal dependence in the media, in the economy, in politics," he added.

"The US leadership says: if they [Russians] win in Ukraine now, NATO countries will be next. Why do we need these NATO countries? We do not need them, we never needed them, and we do not need them now, and we will not need them in the future," he further stressed.

'Russia was the sole guarantor of Ukraine's sovereignty'

In the same context, Putin affirmed that Russia was the sole guarantor of Ukraine's sovereignty and integrity. Upon the creation of the Soviet Union, Russia not only relinquished extensive historical lands and their inhabitants but also invested substantial resources in developing this territory, as per the Russian President.

According to Putin, the West could reach an agreement on Ukraine if they desired, but Russia would only engage if its interests were addressed. Additionally, Putin mentioned that Poland aspired to reclaim territories granted to Ukraine after World War II.
 
Furthermore, Putin accused the United States of using Europe for its own interests and clarified that Russia had no intentions of waging war on Europe. He informed senior defense officials that Russia would prioritize its interests in dealings with Ukraine, regardless of Kiev's efforts to negotiate agreements. Additionally, Putin stated that Ukraine's NATO membership would be unacceptable for Russia, not in 10 years, and not in 20.

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