Putin's warning: If we respond in a similar manner, we can only speculate what could happen here.

Putin made statements on various topics on the agenda at the main session of the Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok, Russia. Putin stated that the situation of the Russian army in the Kursk region has become stable and said, "The enemy tried to distance Russia's progress in Donbas by attacking the Kursk region, but failed."

"DANGEROUS TERRORIST ACTS"

Putin described the attacks on the nuclear power plants in Kursk and Zaporizhia as "dangerous terrorist acts" and said, "If we respond in a similar way, we can only guess what might happen in this part of Europe."

Putin emphasized that the "liberation" of Donbas is a priority and said that the Russian army has been advancing rapidly in the region for a long time. Putin pointed out that the people in the Kursk region are going through a difficult process due to the attacks and used the expression, "It is the sacred duty of the Russian army to do everything to drive the enemy out of these lands and protect our citizens."

"READY TO NEGOTIATE ON THE BASIS OF THE ISTANBUL AGREEMENT"

Putin emphasized that an agreement was reached with Ukraine in Istanbul in 2022 under the mediation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and said, "This agreement did not come into effect because instructions were given in the opposite direction. The desire of the elites in the US, Europe, and some European countries was to strategically defeat Russia." Putin underlined that Russia does not reject negotiations with Ukraine, but said, "However, we are ready to negotiate based on the documents agreed upon and actually signed in Istanbul, not on temporary demands."

Putin also mentioned the prisoner exchange carried out in Ankara on August 1, led by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), and emphasized the important role played by President Erdogan in this regard.