Russian President Vladimir Putin held a press conference with international media on 19 June 2025, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
Nearly 20 000 people from 140 countries attended the event. Vladimir Putin used the forum to talk about Russia’s foreign policy, economic strategy, and global security issues.
PUTIN ADDRESSES IRAN-ISRAEL CONFLICT
Putin pushed for mutual recognition of Israel’s security and Iran’s peaceful nuclear rights to resolve the Iran-Israel conflict diplomatically.
He claimed that while Moscow is willing to facilitate dialogue, it will not set the terms.
Russia sent recommendations to Washington, Tel Aviv, and Tehran, the Kremlin confirmed. Putin said Iran has not asked for military support.
ECONOMIC RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF SANCTIONS
Putin emphasised Russia’s economic partnership with Belarus while pointing to $50 billion in trade and joint ventures in aviation and microelectronics.
In addition, he credited Belarusian President Lukashenko for keeping the vital industry intact despite Western sanctions.
The SPIEF 2025 theme, “Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World”, underscored Russia’s shift towards non-Western relationships.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also met with South Africa’s Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, and Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto.
NATO, UKRAINE, AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Furthermore, Putin called the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s (NATO’s) claims of a Russian threat “nonsense,” pointing to the alliance’s high military spending.
Russia insists Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia are part of the Russian Federation, a position Putin has maintained since 2022.
To sum up, he questioned President Zelenskyy’s legitimacy while expressing a conditional willingness to negotiate peace with Ukraine.
WHAT PART SHOULD RUSSIA PLAY IN SETTLING DISPUTES IN THE MIDDLE EAST?
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