Russia and China Close to New Energy Deals, Putin Says

Russian President Putin stated that Russia and China will soon complete new energy agreements that he expects will benefit the global energy market. The comments were made on 04 June 2026. Putin told China’s Xinhua news agency that Russia did not pivot toward Asia.

He said Russia and China are natural allies and partners and neighbors, adding that the relationship is not directed against any third country. A treaty signed 25 years ago laid the foundations for the current level of Russia-China cooperation, he said. Putin described Chinese President Xi Jinping as his old friend.

Russia is actively working with Egypt to build a nuclear power plant in the Nile Valley, Putin stated. He said he hopes the first unit of the Egyptian nuclear power plant will be operational by 2028 and noted that a significant number of local specialists are taking part in the construction. “It’s a powerful project, and we are actively working in other areas,” he said.

Putin said ties with Kazakhstan are developing successfully on an upward trajectory. He cited cooperation in energy, industry, space, and expanding into nuclear power with Kazakhstan, adding that Russia will help build a nuclear plant in Kazakhstan.

Putin told Press Trust of India that Russia will continue to invest in the Indian economy and has promising, far-reaching plans for cooperation with New Delhi.

He praised India as a specially privileged strategic partner and noted that Russia-India bilateral trade could reach $100 billion in the coming years. Putin said US attempts to pressure India are useless and cause no problems for Russia-India relations.

Russian armed forces are advancing on the whole line of contact in Ukraine, Putin stated, adding that there is no place where they are not advancing.

He claimed Ukraine’s armed forces numbers have dropped by 100,000 people and said Ukrainian forces lose about 40,000 people monthly. Putin stated that Russia has an integrated air and strike capability that it will continue to strengthen, while Ukraine has no air defense system as such and lacks the kind of offensive systems that Russia possesses despite receiving numerous drones from Western sponsors.

Moscow is without doubt ready to reach a peaceful settlement with Kiev on the basis discussed in Anchorage with US President Donald Trump, Putin stated.

He said it is important that Ukraine also agrees to the compromise discussed at the Alaska talks, adding that if Ukraine agrees, the conflict would peter out naturally and very quickly. Putin said Russia has not refused dialogue on the Ukraine conflict and is ready to talk if European countries consider it appropriate, adding that any Ukraine talks must involve people who can be trusted.