Russian President Vladimir Putin ended his official visit to China with a fiery press conference in Beijing. During the session, he made strong remarks about Ukraine, NATO, India, and even U.S. President Donald Trump. The Russian leader used the platform to send sharp messages to his rivals and to restate Russia’s positions on several global issues.
Putin’s words touched on three main areas: the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, his view of international diplomacy with world leaders, and his warning to the United States over tariffs on countries like India and China. His direct tone made this presser one of the most attention-grabbing moments of his China trip.
Warning by Putin to Ukraine and NATO
Putin repeated that Russia is open to dialogue with Ukraine, but not under the current conditions. He said that meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky right now would be “a path to nowhere.” According to him, serious talks are only possible when the situation in Ukraine changes.
He added that Ukraine is free to decide its own security system. However, he made it very clear that this freedom cannot come at Russia’s expense. He once again underlined that NATO membership for Ukraine is a “red line” for Moscow. At the same time, Putin noted that Russia does not object if Ukraine chooses to join the European Union.
Putin warns of NATO expansion as Russia cites security concerns from Beijing speech
The Russian president also dismissed any idea of trading land for peace. He said Russia is not fighting for territory but for the rights of people in disputed regions. He reminded reporters that as early as 2022, Moscow had proposed a withdrawal deal to Kyiv, but Ukraine later changed its position.
On the topic of referendums in contested areas, Putin said that a true public vote requires ending martial law and holding elections. Until then, he suggested, questions about Ukraine’s territorial status remain unresolved in practice.
Sharp Words for Trump and the U.S.
Putin’s presser took a dramatic turn when he spoke about U.S. President Donald Trump. He revealed that Trump had once asked him to arrange a meeting with Zelensky. The Russian leader did not provide details about when this request was made but shared it as part of his larger point about the U.S. approach to Ukraine.
He then turned to Trump’s trade policy. Putin strongly criticized Trump’s threats of tariffs on countries like India and China. His warning was blunt: “You cannot talk to India or China like that.” He explained that such pressure tactics would not work against major economies. According to him, trying to bully rising powers with trade threats is pointless.
Putin says Russia and China reject trade sanctions that create unfair barriers
Putin’s comments reflected his belief that large countries should be treated with respect in global negotiations. He signaled that attempts by Washington to use economic force against nations like India and China would only create resistance, not cooperation.
Russia’s Stand on Democracy and Referendums, Putin Says
Another major part of the press conference was Putin’s defense of the referendums held in contested regions. He said that the people who voted to join the Russian Federation were exercising democracy. According to him, respecting their will is the foundation of Moscow’s position.
He emphasised that Russia is not interested in simply grabbing land. Instead, the fight is about protecting the rights of those who chose, through a vote, to be part of Russia. In his view, the international community must respect this democratic decision, even if they disagree with it.
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Putin also pointed to the importance of elections in Ukraine. He said that only when martial law is lifted and proper elections are held can there be a true referendum on territorial issues. Without this, he argued, decisions about Ukraine’s future lack legitimacy.
The press conference in Beijing showed Putin in a combative mood. He directly challenged NATO, dismissed Zelensky’s current authority, criticized Trump’s tariff threats, and defended Russia’s hold over contested regions. His message was clear: Moscow will not compromise on what it sees as its vital interests, whether in Ukraine or in the global economy.