Putin: Russia is Ready to Cooperate and Restore Relations with Its Neighbors, but the Number of Threats is Increasing

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced during a meeting of the military-industrial committee on Friday that Russia is ready for joint work and to resume relations with its European neighbors, according to the Russian news agency TASS.

Putin said: "We are ready for joint work and to resume relations with our European neighbors."

The Russian president also emphasized that there are no aggressive intentions against Europe and European countries, adding that there is no basis for that.

Putin stated during the meeting that the number of external threats facing Russia is not decreasing, and that NATO is continuously expanding.

He said: "As we know, these external threats are not decreasing, and NATO is continuously expanding, and it has already begun to reach other parts of the world; some European leaders are clearly announcing that they are preparing for war with Russia."

The President proposed discussing a new government armament program and a program to develop the defense industries complex.

Putin said: "These two programs will form the basis for the development and production of modern weapon systems and equipment for our army and other security agencies, ensuring their readiness to respond quickly and effectively to potential external threats."

The Russian president stated that the Kyiv regime is doing everything it can to prevent peace or negotiations with Russia.

During a session of the military-industrial committee, Putin pointed out that the Ukrainian armed forces committed another crime days ago when they bombed the home of the head of the election committee in the Zaporizhzhia region, Yelena Ustyanina, resulting in her death.

Putin said: "Officials of the Kyiv regime, and its senior officials, talk about peace and propose resuming negotiations, but by committing these crimes, they are doing their utmost to ensure that no peace is concluded or negotiations take place."

The European stance on the Russian elections

Putin stated during the meeting that Europeans clearly express in their elections their rejection of any war with Russia, while also pointing out that some European leaders openly declare their readiness for war with Russia.

He said: "In my opinion, they are simply trying to save their declining popularity by covering up the mistakes of their economic and social policies, but this is of no use, and it does not help. Instead of stopping and listening to their citizens, who clearly express in their elections their rejection of any war with Russia, these leaders continue to escalate the situation."

According to the Russian president, European leaders resort to talking about the alleged Russian threat in an attempt to cover up their mistakes.

Putin pointed out that the Ukrainian authorities do not hold elections in their country and are trying to obstruct the electoral process in Russia.

He said: "It is known that the Ukrainian leadership is not in a hurry to hold elections, but at the same time, it is trying to hinder us."

He added: "A handful of embezzlers and corrupt officials have seized power (in Ukraine) who need the war to stay in power without elections, and to create the right conditions to plunder their people, in order to fill their pockets with the money of funders, including from Europe."

Putin orders the completion of the formation of the orbital satellite group.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the complete formation of the satellite group, including matters related to the management of the armed forces.

During a session of the military-industrial committee, Putin said: "It is necessary to fully complete the formation of the orbital group of space devices, this will enhance the capabilities of all types of space reconnaissance, navigation, and satellite communications and enable the use of the internet for the management of forces and weapons in real time."

Putin added, "One of the main focuses of the new government programs will be to enhance the air defense system, which must ensure the destruction of any airborne and space offensive weapons."

The Russian president also pointed out that his country places great importance on the government armament program for the development of unmanned vehicles and precision weapons, stating: "We will pay special attention to the development of a wide range of various-purpose robotic systems, in addition to precision weapons."