Synopsis
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised his military forces for defending national interests in Ukraine, vowing to strengthen the armed forces amid a shifting global landscape. This statement marks the third anniversary of the conflict, emphasizing the importance of military readiness and ongoing dialogue with the United States to resolve the crisis.Key Takeaways
- Putin emphasizes the role of soldiers in defending national interests.
- Commitment to enhance military capabilities is reaffirmed.
- Talks with US officials aim to build trust and resolve the conflict.
- The importance of addressing root causes of the Ukraine conflict is highlighted.
- Collaboration through special envoys planned for future negotiations.
Moscow, Feb 23 (NationPress) Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Sunday that his military forces in Ukraine are safeguarding national interests, and he reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to fortifying the nation's armed forces in a shifting global landscape.
This announcement coincides with the third anniversary of the conflict in Ukraine, which falls on February 24.
"At great risk to their lives and with remarkable bravery, they (soldiers) are tenaciously defending their homeland, national interests, and the future of Russia," Putin remarked in a video message released by the Kremlin on Russia's Defenders of the Fatherland Day.
"We will persist in enhancing the combat capabilities of the army and navy, ensuring their combat readiness as a vital element of Russia's security and a safeguard for its ongoing and future sovereignty," he added, according to a report from The Moscow Times, the nation’s leading daily.
In related developments, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov recently engaged in discussions in Riyadh with a US delegation that included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, aiming to mend relations and explore avenues for resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
A press statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia indicated that both parties exchanged perspectives regarding the situation in Ukraine and reiterated their shared commitment to address the conflict.
The Russian side highlighted the necessity of addressing the fundamental causes of the conflict, establishing suitable conditions for achieving a sustainable peace, and ensuring the security and legitimate interests of all nations in the region.
It was agreed to continue collaborative efforts in this domain through the appointment of special envoys in the near future.
Recently, President Putin told media outlets, "The recent discussions between Russia and the US in Riyadh mark progress towards restoring Russian-US relations and fostering trust between the two nations."
He emphasized that resolving many issues, including the crisis in Ukraine, is impossible without enhancing trust between Russia and the United States. He reiterated that resolving the conflict in Ukraine is a top priority for Russia, as reported by TASS, the country's leading news agency.
