Putin Concludes China Visit, Addresses Key Issues in Press Conference

Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a four-day visit to China, culminating in a significant press conference. The visit included meetings with his Chinese counterpart and other world leaders. During the press conference, Putin addressed a wide array of topics, including the relationship between Russia and China, the potential resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, and the broader international security landscape.

The visit, the longest for the Russian leader since 2014, encompassed various high-profile events and informal discussions. Putin described the format as "very useful," emphasizing its value for both formal negotiations and informal exchanges on matters of mutual interest. He noted that the schedule included the SCO summit, a trilateral meeting with Mongolia and China, and a dedicated visit to China.

A key outcome of the visit was an agreement between China and Russia on the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline. Putin stated that the deal, finalized after years of negotiations, would facilitate the transport of 50 billion cubic meters of gas annually and that all parties involved were satisfied with the agreement. He emphasized that the agreement was based on mutually beneficial market principles.

Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, Putin suggested that a resolution might be closer due to the stance of the United States. He noted that President Donald Trump and his administration appeared to have a genuine desire to find a solution. Putin expressed cautious optimism, adding that if a resolution was not achieved, Russia would pursue its goals by other means.

Putin also addressed recent critical remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who labeled him a "war criminal." Putin viewed this as an attempt to deflect Western responsibility for the conflict in Ukraine. He stated that Western European nations had contributed to the situation by disregarding Russia's security interests for a decade.

The Russian president reiterated his willingness to meet with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. However, he expressed concerns about Zelensky's legitimacy and questioned the potential for a meaningful outcome from such a meeting. Putin stated that if a meeting were well-prepared and could lead to positive results, he would be open to it. He also dismissed rumors of discussions about territorial concessions in exchange for security guarantees, stating that the territorial issue was not the primary focus of Russia's military operation. He emphasized that the operation was aimed at protecting the rights of people in the affected territories.