Vladimir Putin answered questions from journalists.
Photo: REUTERS
On Africa and the Soviet Union
…- Everyone remembers our concrete assistance to the African countries in the struggle for their liberation. (Speech about the times of the USSR. – AG)
… You know, I often think about this when I meet our African friends. At some point in Soviet times, I remember well, our society formed the opinion that we were wasting money. Well, why are we spending money in Africa? Where is this Africa? We have many problems of our own.
And now, when I communicate with our friends from Africa, I think with gratitude of those people who carried out such a policy in Africa. They have created a powerful reserve of strength, friendly relations with African countries…
And our attempts to work in the African direction today are made in the interests, first of all, of Russia.
Here are many ingredients. Economic – Let’s start with economics. Such enormous potential, and it’s growing, and at a very fast rate, exponentially. There are already 1.5 billion people in Africa, and this is a very young population, growing at a very fast rate…
About Ukraine – as part of the USSR
– When we talk about the fact that the USSR provided assistance to African countries, we must not forget that Ukraine was part of the USSR. And they treat Ukraine well and sincerely think about what to do to end the conflict. They do it for internal reasons.
Some of them studied there, in Ukraine. True, they studied in Russian.
About the African Peace Initiative
– There are 10 points in this initiative, one point is the exchange of prisoners.
You know that overblown kidnapping story. Well, we explain it in a simple way, there was no kidnapping, they were specific actions aimed at saving the lives of children. Here is a specific case, my mother died, and my father is in Ukraine. And we are ready to give the child to the father. No problem, it’s a made up story.
There are things that are difficult to implement. For example, one of the items is a ceasefire. But the Ukrainian army is advancing, it is on the attack, it is carrying out the offensive. What to contact us?
We have never given up on negotiations. But if there is (in Ukraine. – AG) there is a decree that prohibits negotiations.
… There are some simpler things, but in general, the initiative, in my opinion, can serve as the basis for processes aimed at seeking peace. For example, the China Peace Initiative…
In general, the conversation was long, substantive, we talked for an hour and a half or two. (I am talking about negotiations with the leaders of the African states at the summit. – AG) I want to emphasize once again: it was from an absolutely friendly position. A real search for some ways, opportunities to defuse the situation.
About the situation at the front
– I am aware of what is happening, several times a day I communicate with the Ministry of Defense. Yesterday, after all the events (at 2 am – AG) I spoke with the commander of the 58th army, the regiment commander, who distinguished himself in the Zaporozhye direction.
I spoke with the commander of the 810 Chernomorskaya Brigade. They reported at the time … I even regretted that I called, because the guys need to sleep. And the purpose of the call was to thank them for what they did during the fighting.
About the losses and the change of tactics of the enemy.
– There are no major changes. (We are talking about the line of contact. – AG) And I think that this is due to the fact that the enemy withdrew his assault units.
They suffered heavy losses, but now there are some changes. They take people to the front line of armored vehicles, kick people out, and the team immediately disappears. And attack on foot
… Everything is connected with the losses of the enemy, at the moment, as of June 4, I said: 405 tanks (APU. – AG) were lost. Now 415 and more than 1300 combat vehicles of various classes, 2/3, Western production. There are no active actions. The losses are now great.
Everywhere the enemy was stopped and repulsed.
Furthermore, in some areas, our units not only repulse the attacks, but also go on the counteroffensive.
We made progress in two areas. In one: 15 kilometers along the front and 4 in depth.
… And again – about the “grain deal”
– When Mr. Guterres (UN Secretary General – AG) convinced us that it was necessary to enter into a “grain agreement” and help in the export of Ukrainian grain … It should have been that the grain would go to the countries poorest in the world. To make sure they’re not hungry.
Of all the grain exported in the region, 3% went to these countries. None of the promises they made to us were fulfilled.
And we extended the participation (of Russia. – AG) in this agreement many times in the hope that the promise would be fulfilled…
…. Now, let’s fulfill (we are talking about the promises that were made to Russia. – AG), and then we will return to the deal. And so that the poorest countries do not suffer and there is no reason to blame us, we said that we are ready to start supplying grain for free.
On Ukrainian neo-Nazism
– I heard that Ukraine is looking for its identity, originality. And he strives to assert his identity. And it’s natural.
But why should one seek their identity on the basis of neo-Nazism? Why should the identity of modern Ukraine be associated with Hitler’s collaborators? Why people who destroyed 1.5 million Jews, Russians, Poles, how many did they destroy? Why should identity be built on this basis?
I am amazed at the stupidity of people who do this.
On the West’s plans to unite Western Ukraine with Poland
– We see a threat to the national security of Ukraine, but this is not our business. As far as we know, there are plans (formations) not only for Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian units, but the ideas of certain Polish units are already being passed on.
Because they are all raked as part of the mobilization.
But if this happens, it will be the beginning of the rejection of the western territories of Ukraine in favor of Poland.
For some Polish political elites, this idea is very tenacious…
