At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, President Vladimir Putin outlined Russia’s stance on the Ukraine war, NATO expansion, the Iran-Israel conflict, and future ties with the U.S., signalling openness to dialogue but firmly on Moscow’s terms.
In a wide-ranging exchange with foreign media at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russian President Vladimir Putin laid out Moscow’s stance on some of the world’s most pressing geopolitical issues. His remarks covered the ongoing war in Ukraine, the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, NATO’s military posture, and Russia’s relations with the United States.
Over several hours of conversation with senior editors and correspondents from major international news agencies, Putin presented Russia’s worldview in a tone that was both assertive and conciliatory, suggesting a willingness for dialogue—but only on Russia’s terms.
Ukraine Conflict and Germany’s Potential Military Role
Putin issued a direct warning to Germany, suggesting that the country’s potential delivery of Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine could cross a dangerous threshold. According to him, such missiles require the involvement of German military personnel to be operational.
"It is impossible to use Taurus without German officers. That means Bundeswehr officers would be striking Russian territory with German weapons. What is this, if not direct military involvement?" Putin stated, making clear that in Moscow’s eyes, this would constitute Germany becoming a party to the conflict.
He described the repercussions as "severe" for bilateral relations, though downplayed the impact on the battlefield, asserting that Russian forces were continuing to advance along the entire frontline in Ukraine.
Putin’s message seemed calibrated to raise the political costs of escalation for NATO capitals, particularly Berlin, while projecting confidence in Russia’s military posture.
On Biden, Trump, and the “What If” of History
In a moment of retrospective commentary, Putin said the conflict in Ukraine might not have happened if Donald Trump had been in office at the time it began, instead of Joe Biden.
“Trump has repeatedly said that if he had been President, this war would not have happened. I believe he is correct,” Putin stated, recalling a final phone conversation with former President Biden during which, he said, he urged restraint and a diplomatic resolution.
His comments reflected a clear preference for Trump’s transactional, interest-based diplomacy over what he described as Biden’s values-driven, alliance-centric foreign policy.
Putin reiterated that Russia remains open to negotiations, including a potential meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, he raised doubts about the legal authority of Ukraine’s current leadership.
“The issue isn’t about whether we meet. The question is: who will sign the agreement? If the mandate of the signatory isn’t legitimate, it can all be undone the next day.”
This was a reference to Russia’s position that Zelenskyy’s constitutional term has expired—a claim firmly rejected by Ukraine and its allies, but one that remains central to Moscow’s negotiation stance.
Trump, Business, and the Hope for U.S.-Russia Reset
Putin also spoke optimistically about the prospect of reviving U.S.-Russia relations under a second Trump presidency.
"Trump is not just a politician. He is a businessman. And that’s an advantage," Putin said. "He calculates everything, including the impact of sanctions and military spending on the U.S. taxpayer."
He claimed that major U.S. companies were quietly seeking ways to re-engage with the Russian market, and that informal business-to-business contacts were already underway.
"This inspires cautious optimism. I hope the U.S. leadership will take note of these signals and work with businesses to rebuild cooperation," Putin added.
While diplomatic relations between Washington and Moscow remain frozen, Putin’s comments suggest an open channel through the private sector, and a view that economic pragmatism might pave the way for future détente.
Iran-Israel Conflict and Russia’s Calculated Diplomacy
Turning to the fast-developing conflict between Iran and Israel, Putin called for a measured and balanced diplomatic approach.
"There is a consolidation of Iranian society around its leadership, despite internal challenges. Any attempts to disrupt this by force would only harden that unity," he said.
Responding to reports that Israel or the U.S. might target Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Putin declined to engage:
"I do not even want to discuss such a possibility."
He clarified that Russia’s strategic partnership treaty signed with Iran in January 2025 does not contain military clauses and that past military-technical cooperation, including limited weapons deliveries, was conducted within the boundaries of international law.
"We once offered Iran to jointly develop a full air defence system. They weren’t very interested. But our cooperation remains legal, routine, and unrelated to current hostilities," he said.
Putin also revealed that Russia had conveyed to both Israel and Iran possible frameworks for de-escalation, aimed at recognising Iran’s peaceful nuclear rights while addressing Israel’s security concerns.
"Such a solution exists. But we’re not imposing anything. The decision lies with the political leadership of these countries."
NATO, Rearmament, and the 'Myth of the Russian Threat'
In one of his more sharply worded segments, Putin criticised NATO’s increasing military spending and rearmament efforts, particularly the alliance’s goal of pushing defence budgets toward 5% of GDP.
"This has no sense. We are self-sufficient in our security. This narrative of a ‘threat from the East’ is politically convenient for Western elites—it helps them justify economic difficulties and extract more funding from taxpayers," Putin said.
He rejected the notion that Russia poses a threat to NATO, calling it an "unprecedented lie" used for domestic political purposes.
"Do any of you really believe that Russia plans to attack NATO? Those who say it don’t believe it themselves."
He contrasted NATO’s $1.4 trillion military budget and 340 million citizens with Russia’s significantly smaller military footprint and population, saying it would be "nonsense" to suggest Moscow seeks conflict on that scale.
Global Trade: Russia Backs China’s Call for Dialogue
On the economic front, Putin addressed the ongoing tariff tensions between the U.S. and China, expressing support for Beijing’s emphasis on diplomacy.
"I agree with our Chinese friends. These issues should be solved through negotiations," he said, adding that while the U.S. might be raising the stakes for now, it would ultimately seek a compromise.
His comments aligned Russia with China’s approach to trade diplomacy, reinforcing Moscow’s pivot toward the East amid sustained Western sanctions and economic decoupling.
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