Lajmet e fundit
Putin tells journalists the Russia-Ukraine war, Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, Reuters writes
At a press conference at the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin said the war in Ukraine is nearing its end and Russia is ready for new security negotiations. He is seeking new guarantees for Russian interests in the Black Sea, Kaliningrad and other strategic areas, and proposed former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a preferred partner for talks, describing him as a “bridge device” for dialogue with the EU.
After the invasion launched in February 2022, the United States, the EU and others imposed heavy sanctions on Russia, including bans on advanced technology exports, blocking financial transactions and restricting access to capital markets. As a result, Russia's GDP fell by about 6–7 % in 2023, triggering a European energy crisis as Russia cut natural gas supplies to exert political pressure.
According to humanitarian organisations, the conflict has displaced more than 8 million civilians and caused over 120 000 casualties, making it the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. Infrastructure damage is extensive: cities such as Mariupol, Kharkiv and Donetsk have been heavily destroyed, while energy grids, water pipes and transport systems have been severely hit.
Reactions to Putin’s statement are mixed. Some analysts in Washington and Brussels see it as an attempt to accelerate negotiations before economic and military pressure becomes unbearable for Moscow. NATO officials and Ukrainian government representatives criticize it as “propaganda” that masks the reality of an active front and ongoing losses for both sides.
