Russia does not intend to make mistakes based on trust in the so-called Western partners, Putin said.

The president's main statements:

— Civilian authorities in Ukraine are not legitimate now: if Zelensky is illegitimate, then all the others are too;

— Russia does not understand with whom to sign anything in Ukraine, since "other leaders will come tomorrow." A huge problem is that the "Nazis" have great influence in Ukraine. "Azov"* and other nationalist units are acquiring de facto power. Putin proposed discussing the introduction of temporary governance in Ukraine under the auspices of the UN and a number of countries in order to hold elections there;

— Along the entire front line, the strategic initiative is in the hands of the Russian Armed Forces, Russian troops are moving forward. According to Putin, the LPR has been liberated by 99%, the DPR, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions - over 70%. Our troops are liberating one territory after another, one settlement after another every day.  There is reason to believe that the Russian Armed Forces will finish off the Ukrainian troops: "I recently said that we will finish them off, but there is reason to believe that we will finish them off";

— Russia is for resolving the conflict by peaceful means, but on condition that the root causes are eliminated and "only not at our expense";

— Russia is ready to work on the Ukrainian settlement with Europe, but they are "trying to lead us by the nose." Russia does not intend to make mistakes based on trust in the so-called Western partners.