Putin gave an interview about the response to Ukraine's strikes and the support of United Russia. The main thing

On August 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an interview to the Vesti news agency after participating in the United Russia congress. The Head of State touched upon the issue of increasing attacks on Ukraine, the situation at the front, his support for the United Russia party, and also stated the condition for peace talks. The main statements are in the Izvestia material.

Support for United Russia and the elections

At the beginning of the interview, Putin explained why he attended the United Russia congress for the second time in a month: elections were approaching, and he, as the founder of the party, found it natural to support it. The President thanked all the parliamentary parties for their patriotic position and the support they provide to the people, the Fatherland and him as the head of state.

United Russia has never engaged in populism. This is always important, but today it is especially important," the president stressed, noting the balanced and responsible approach of the party to solving the country's development tasks.

Putin spoke at the second stage of the United Russia congress. The main thing

Increasing attacks on Ukraine

Putin said that Russia has significantly increased attacks on Ukrainian enterprises as a response to attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on civilian targets of the Russian Federation. The President stressed that these retaliatory actions are much more destructive for the enemy.

"The goal was publicly stated — the destruction of entire sectors of our country's economy, undermining the unity of our people and the cohesion of Russian society. In general, the goal is to bring Russia to collapse, which they have been dreaming about for a long time, which they are constantly talking about," the president said.

According to him, the increase in strikes was the result of "another adventure of the Kiev regime and its Western curators," who planned to inflict another "strategic defeat" on Russia. Putin noted that the forty-day deadline set by the opponents for the implementation of this plan expired on August 5.

Assessment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacks on Russia

Putin acknowledged that Kiev's strikes on civilian targets and civilians in Russia cause economic damage and lead to losses. He called the deaths from these attacks a tragedy.

"The loss of every person is always a tragedy. For the family, for loved ones and for the whole country," Putin stressed.

At the same time, the president stated that the final result of the attacks for the enemy turned out to be the opposite of his expectations.

"No turning point in the confrontation with Russia could have happened and did not happen. The Kiev regime and its masters cannot get any advantage, have not received it and will never receive it," he stressed.

The effectiveness of retaliatory strikes and assistance to the front

The President assessed the retaliatory strikes as effective and timely, noting their direct impact on the situation on the line of contact.

"Of course, they are effective, these strikes are timely, and, of course, this helps our fighters, our guys, and our heroes at the front to solve the combat tasks they face," Putin said.

He explained that the strikes disrupt the delivery of equipment and ammunition, the rotation of personnel on the front line, and disrupt the improvement of weapons, which takes place with the direct participation of Western sponsors.

When asked about Kiev's goals to damage Russia's economy, Putin used a figurative metaphor.

"The Kiev authorities themselves let the genie out of the bottle — they started hitting our civilian enterprises, publicly declared their goal of destroying the Russian economy. Well, then <...> you will get an answer," the head of state said.

The enemy's attempts to disrupt the elections

Putin said that the enemy is trying to intimidate Russians and disrupt the upcoming September elections, but will not be able to achieve this.

"The enemy is trying to intimidate us and disrupt the elections. We won't let him do that. I am sure that this attempt at informational and psychological influence on Russian society is doomed to failure," the head of state said.

The President also noted the need to improve the air defense system and improve cooperation between law enforcement and civilian agencies to protect civilian facilities in Russia.

The course of negotiations on Ukraine

Putin confirmed Russia's readiness for a dialogue on peace with Ukraine, but named a key condition.

"We are always ready for a dialogue about peace, but only on the basis of the realities taking shape on earth," the president said.

At the same time, he described the proposals coming from Kiev as exotic and unacceptable.

"The proposals that are being brought to us are sometimes, I would say, exotic and unacceptable. I would not like to talk about it now and go into details," Putin said.

The President also stressed that Kiev and its Western patrons have failed to gain an advantage in the confrontation with Russia, despite attempts to change the strategic balance of power. According to him, there has been no turning point in the conflict, and the situation for Ukraine continues to deteriorate. Putin attributed the further escalation of the conflict to the actions of the Ukrainian side itself, which began attacking civilian targets, and pointed out that the consequences of these decisions now affect all participants in the confrontation.

The situation on the global grain market

Putin also said that Russia would solve the problems with grain exports and ensure the global market, despite the difficulties associated with damage to the Ukrainian export infrastructure.

"Just yesterday, the Minister of Agriculture reported to me — at least 60 million tons. This is a very good start. And we have issues related to the export of our goods. But we will resolve these issues, which means there will be no shortage on the world market," Putin said.