Russian President Vladimir Putin answered questions from Russian reporters after the 24th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.
Putin explained that preparations are underway to start production of medium- and short-range missile systems, saying, “I have issued appropriate instructions for their production. As for deployment, if U.S.-made systems, medium- and short-range missiles, appear anywhere (in the world), then we reserve the right to act in accordance with reciprocity,” he said.
Putin said the United States was deploying medium- and short-range missile systems around the world, and “we need to start production of these offensive systems and decide where to deploy them to ensure the security of our country if necessary,” he said.
Mindful of remarks made by Donald Trump, a candidate for the upcoming US presidential election, about ending the war in Ukraine, Putin said, “We take this very seriously. Of course, I don’t know what his possible proposals are or what proposals he will make. This is actually the real question here, but I have no doubt that what he says is sincere,” he said.
Putin said he hopes a government will be formed after the U.S. elections and that Russia is ready to hold talks with the United States.
Russian-Turkish relations
Putin: “What is the biggest problem in Russian-Turkish relations? What or who is causing problems for us?” The answer to the question was: “It is well known what causes problems for us. The political will of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan helps us in this regard. Technically, there are problems with payments. He said: “Turkish partners reported yesterday that trade volumes have fallen from $63 billion to $55 billion.”
Putin stressed that the reasons differ between the parties, saying “there are some objective factors, and they have to do with development, not with other countries getting in our way.”
Putin said the current situation had to do with local production and the development of bilateral relations, adding that “all problems can be resolved.”
“The Taliban are our allies in the fight against terrorism.”
When asked when Russia would remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations, Putin said, “In general, we should start from the fact that the Taliban controls power in the country. In this sense, the Taliban are definitely our ally in the fight against terrorism.” he replied.
Putin explained that the Taliban wanted a stable situation in Afghanistan and said “we have received repeated signals from the Taliban that they are ready to cooperate with us in the fight against terrorism,” he said.
Ukraine War
Noting that they do not reject negotiations with Ukraine, Putin said, “The problem is that it seems to me that it is impossible to end the conflict only with the help of a mediator. First of all, it is unlikely that a mediator will intervene. I will have the power to sign the final documents,” he said.
Putin said the issue was not one of the competence of the mediator, saying, “The issue is the competence of the mediator. Who can give the mediator the authority to end this impasse? I think that’s unlikely,” he said.
Putin stressed that the two countries generally welcome the issue of mediation, “as President Erdogan did, for example, during the negotiation process in Istanbul,” he said.
Putin stressed that the Ukrainian side must take steps towards an agreement, saying, “But these steps must be essential and appropriate for Russia. It is impossible to achieve a ceasefire without reaching an agreement. A ceasefire cannot be achieved without confidence in the steps Ukraine will take,” he said.
Noting that the term of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has come to an end, Putin said:
“Ukrainian ‘elite’ judges are in power illegally and cannot even apply to the Constitutional Court for recognition of their powers (of the President of Ukraine). According to a law adopted by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine in 2015, the term of office of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine is five years, the same as that of the President of Ukraine, and there is “no reason to extend it in accordance with the Constitution.”
