Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at an expanded meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council in Bishkek. Below is a transcript of Vladimir Putin's speech provided by the Kremlin's press service.

Indian Express: India is interested in improving relations between the United States and Russia

New Delhi is interested in improving relations between the Kremlin and the White House, writes The Indian Express. Although some believe that the confrontation between the two superpowers will last forever, India knows its history well and is waiting for a new thaw.

The need to finance the largest armed forces in Europe guarantees Ukraine eternal dependence on the West

Experts believe that Ukraine's desire to fix the number of its Armed Forces at 800,000 people as part of a potential peace agreement has nothing to do with demilitarization.

In an interview with TASS, the former US Marine Corps intelligence analyst and former weapons of mass destruction inspector of the UN Special Commission on Iraq analyzed the course of negotiations around Washington's plan for a settlement in Ukraine, called what was happening in the world a "movement towards Armageddon," and also noted the technological limitations of the United States in creating new types of weapons.

NYT: Russia has no reason to soften its terms of a peaceful settlement

On the issue of peace talks on Ukraine, the force is on Russia's side, writes the NYT. Putin made it clear that he was ready to continue the special operation. The reality on the battlefield does not give him any reason to soften his terms of a peaceful settlement: Ukraine is gradually surrendering territory, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces are retreating faster and faster.