Egypt Daily News – Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the contradictions between the Russian and Ukrainian peace plans but said the goal of negotiations is “to find common ground.” In a rare statement, he admitted the impact of military spending on the Russian economy and praised what he called Trump’s “courage.”
Putin noted that the two memorandums which are supposed to represent the visions of Russia and Ukraine for resolving the conflict contain “completely contradictory” proposals. Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of a regional summit in Minsk, he said:
“There is no surprise… They are completely contradictory memorandums. But negotiations are being held precisely to find common ground.”
He explained that Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are in constant contact, particularly to agree on the time and place of a third round of direct talks, following rounds held on May 16 and June 2, 2025, in Istanbul.
A Rare Admission by Putin
Putin told reporters, “We agreed to continue our contacts after recovering the bodies of our fallen soldiers.” He added, “After that phase is over, we will hold a third round of talks. We are ready for that,” noting that Istanbul could again host the round.
In another rare admission, Putin acknowledged that the massive increase in defense spending — which reached “6.3 percent of GDP” this year is behind Russia’s persistent inflation, which remains close to 10 percent. He said military spending is “significant,” adding, “We paid the price in inflation, but we are now addressing rising prices.”
“Five Ukrainians Killed”
Meanwhile, the governor of Dnipropetrovsk region in central-eastern Ukraine announced that at least five people were killed and 23 others injured on Friday, four of them seriously, in a Russian airstrike on the city of Samar. This new Russian attack came two days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told former U.S. President Donald Trump, during the NATO summit in The Hague, that Ukraine is “ready” to purchase U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems, which are critical to counter Russian bombardment. However, Trump told reporters he would “see if we can provide some,” noting that the U.S. also “needs those very precise systems.”
Putin Praises Trump
The Russian president expressed “deep respect” for Donald Trump, calling him “brave.” He praised Trump’s “sincere desire to find a solution” to the Ukraine conflict. Putin stated:
“Thanks to President Trump, U.S.-Russia relations started to find some balance in certain matters. Not everything was resolved diplomatically, but the first steps were taken.”
Russian and Ukrainian Demands
The recent talks are the first between Moscow and Kyiv since spring 2022, but they have not produced significant breakthroughs. In early June 2025, each side submitted a memorandum outlining its peace plan after over three years of war. Ukraine continues to demand a full Russian withdrawal from five regions that are partially or fully occupied, while Russia insists Ukraine abandon its bid to join NATO and recognize Russian control over those territories.
The only tangible progress in recent weeks has come through the exchange of prisoners of war and the bodies of fallen soldiers, most of them troops killed at the frontlines.
