On Friday, October 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that there was no need for significant fresh strikes on Ukraine and that Russia was not aiming to devastate the nation.
Putin stated that his call-up of Russian reservists will finish in two weeks and that there were no preparations for a subsequent mobilization during a news conference after a meeting in Kazakhstan.
Additionally, he reiterated the Kremlin’s position that Russia was ready to have discussions, albeit he added that if Ukraine was keen to participate, they would need to be mediated by an outside party.
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When taken as a whole, Putin’s remarks seemed to indicate a minor lowering of his rhetoric as the war approaches the conclusion of its eighth month, following weeks of Ukrainian gains and large Russian losses. Trading began on Wall Street with markets rising as investors saw a reduction in international tensions.
Putin, who has stated he would be willing to use nuclear weapons to protect Russia’s “territorial integrity,” also threatened a “world disaster” in the event if NATO forces and Russian forces came into direct combat.
He made his remarks following a week in which Russia launched its most powerful missile attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities since the beginning of its invasion on February 24. According to Putin, this was in retaliation for an attack that damaged a Russian bridge leading to the unilaterally annexed Crimea.
“We do not set ourselves the task of destroying Ukraine. No, of course not,” Mr Putin said.
He said there was “no need for massive strikes” now because most designated targets had been hit.
“I want it to be clear: what is happening today is unpleasant, to put it mildly, but we would have got the same thing a little later, only in worse conditions for us, that’s all. So we are acting correctly and in a timely manner.”
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