Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia is not planning for any conflict with Europe, addressing concerns from some NATO members who fear potential aggression towards alliance territories. Putin dismissed claims suggesting Moscow’s preparation for hostilities and emphasized that Russia has no reason to escalate tensions with European nations.

In his remarks, Putin also mentioned that Russia is contemplating whether to resume peace negotiations with Ukraine. This consideration follows recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil, and Putin noted that Moscow would thoroughly evaluate its next steps before deciding on re-engaging in talks.

Despite these statements, Russian military actions continue to impact Ukraine significantly. Recent airstrikes have resulted in casualties and inflicted damage on both civilian and industrial infrastructures. An attack in Kyiv resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including a 14-year-old boy, and left dozens injured.

In the industrial sector, ArcelorMittal has ceased production at Ukraine’s largest steel plant due to repeated Russian strikes, which have damaged the facility and resulted in worker fatalities. This development further strains Ukraine’s economy as the conflict persists.