‘War is war’

Putin’s remarks to the press during his second trip abroad as a wanted man

On October 17–18, Vladimir Putin traveled to Beijing to attend the Chinese government’s Belt and Road Forum. The trip marked his second time leaving Russia (with the exception of Russian-occupied Ukraine) since March 2023, when the International Criminal Court issued an international arrest warrant against him on charges that he ordered the deportations of Ukrainian children. During his visit to China, Putin gave a speech, held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Here’s what the Russian president said at his press conference following the event.

These excerpts have been abridged for length and clarity.

On the U.S. providing ATACMS missiles to Ukraine

This creates additional threats, but we’ll be able to repel these attacks, of course. War is war.

But the most important thing is that this has absolutely no chance of changing the situation on the line of contact. It’s another mistake by the United States. They’re getting drawn further and further into this conflict. That much is obvious. And don’t let anybody say that they’re not involved. We consider them involved.

There’s no benefit here for Ukraine, either. It simply prolongs the agony. They’ve begun their long-awaited counteroffensive in the Kherson direction. They’ve achieved no results but there are casualties. Just like what we saw in the Zaporizhzhia direction and other places.

On whether Russia is losing the war

If Russia has lost the war, then why provide ATACMS? Why doesn’t the U.S. take back the ATACMS and all its other weapons? Why doesn’t Biden come eat pancakes and drink tea with us?

On talks with Ukraine

We’ve been hearing that responsible figures who were wishing Russia a strategic defeat on the battlefield very recently have begun changing their tune. They’re proposing the problem be solved through peace negotiations. This is the correct transformation. Mr. Borrell is already talking about this, I’ll give him credit.

If the Ukrainian side really wants to negotiate, then rather than making theatrical gestures, it should repeal the Ukrainian president’s decree banning negotiations.

On talks with Xi Jinping

We had a business lunch with a small guest list that included the foreign ministers from both countries, and then Chairman Xi proposed the two of us break off for a private conversation. He and I spoke face-to-face over a cup of tea. It was a very productive and substantive conversation. We spoke for about two hours, discussing highly confidential matters.

On the Gaza hospital strike

This is a terrible tragedy. Hundreds killed and hundreds injured. I very much hope it will serve as a sign that the conflict needs to end as soon as possible. I’ve spoken with five leaders from the region and was left with the impression that nobody wants to prolong the conflict or aggravate the situation.

We’ve always advocated for the creation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem. I don’t know whether the current crisis will contribute to the resolution of this issue, but if it does, this would be the right thing to do.