Overview

• Putin said NATO’s plan to boost defense spending poses no threat to Russia because of its self-sufficient security posture.
• He asserted that Russian troops are making daily advances along the front line in Ukraine and vowed to counter any future threats.
• Peace negotiations remain deadlocked as Moscow rejects Ukraine’s demand for a ceasefire and maintains conditions including withdrawals from four annexed regions.
• The Kremlin leader is open to a summit with President Zelensky only at the concluding phase of negotiations.
• NATO will press members to raise security budgets at its upcoming summit in The Hague during heightened tensions over the Ukraine conflict.