Putin says goal of special military operation remains unchanged, Zelensky wants more aid from NATO
Xinhua News Agency, Kyiv, June 30. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the 29th that the goal of Russia’s special military operation has not changed. The ultimate goal is to liberate the Donbas region, protect the safety of the local people, and create conditions for Russia’s own security. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the 29th that he hoped that NATO would provide Ukraine with more modern weapons and equipment.
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@Russia
According to the Kremlin website, Putin answered questions from reporters on international hotspot issues during his visit to Turkmenistan on the 29th.
Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Putin said that the call for Ukraine to abandon negotiations and continue hostilities is not for the well-being of the Ukrainian people, but a tool for the West and NATO to protect their own interests, reflecting their hegemonic and imperialist ambitions. The goal of the Russian special military operation has not changed, and “everything is going according to plan”.
In response to NATO’s view of Russia as the “biggest and immediate threat”, Putin said that since 2014, NATO has been actively taking action against Russia, which is why Russia has taken firm action to protect its own interests.
Leaders of NATO member states approved the “NATO Strategic Concept 2022” at the Madrid summit on the same day, calling Russia the “biggest and immediate threat” to NATO.
Putin also said there was nothing for Russia to worry about Sweden and Finland joining NATO. If NATO deploys troops and military infrastructure in the two countries, it will inevitably lead to the same response from Russia.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the 29th that the Russian army launched an offensive in the Lisichansk oil refinery area, and the Ukrainian army suffered heavy losses.
@Ukraine
According to the website of the Ukrainian President, Zelensky delivered a video speech at the NATO summit in Madrid on the 29th, hoping that NATO can provide Ukraine with more modern weapons and equipment to help Ukraine end the war as soon as possible through victory on the battlefield. He also hopes that all parties will adhere to the “Open Door Policy” on Ukraine’s accession to NATO, respect Ukraine’s security demands, and find a place for Ukraine in a common security space.
The Ukrainian State News Agency quoted military sources across Ukraine as saying on the 29th that the Russian army launched an attack on Udo and tried to surround the city of Lisichansk. The Lugansk armed forces said on the 29th that they had controlled all the main roads in and out of Lisichansk, but the Ukrainian army was still trying to advance along many rural dirt roads.
The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate posted on social media on the 29th that Russia and Ukraine carried out the largest prisoner exchange operation since the start of the war, and a total of 144 Ukrainian soldiers were released. Most of the released Ukrainian soldiers are in serious condition and will receive medical assistance and proper care, the statement said.