Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin, stated that negotiations with Ukraine are ongoing and there are new proposals in this direction.
Modern.az reports that Putin said that the strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure created certain difficulties, but this would not affect Moscow's position in the negotiations.
The Russian President also claimed that Russian troops are approaching the settlement of Dobropolye, and after this settlement, Ukrainian forces do not have pre-prepared defense lines.
According to him, Russia's goals include ensuring full control over Donbas and "Novorossiya". Putin stated that Russian troops are approximately 10 kilometers from the city of Sumy and 8–9 kilometers from Sloviansk, and offensive operations continue in 15 directions.
He claimed that 96 percent of Konstantinovka is under the control of Russian forces. Putin also said that in Krasny Liman, out of approximately 11,000 houses, only 149 remain under the control of Ukrainian forces. In addition, he claimed that Ukrainian forces are approximately 2 kilometers away from being completely surrounded near Stary Oskol and that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have not captured new territories.
Putin added that energy imports will be expanded to eliminate the shortage in the energy sector.
