Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu said Russian forces continue to hold the strategic initiative during the special military operation and are moving forward along the entire line of contact.
Speaking at a meeting of security council secretaries from Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in Bishkek, Shoigu stated that the Russian Armed Forces firmly maintain the initiative and are advancing across the combat line.
He also stressed that Moscow’s position on Ukraine has not changed. According to Shoigu, a lasting settlement is possible only if the root causes of the conflict are eliminated — a point he said Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized. At the same time, Shoigu argued that the Kiev regime is currently not ready for negotiations, linking this to continued support for Ukraine from the European Union and NATO.
Shoigu added that Russia does not rule out political and diplomatic ways to resolve the conflict, including mediation by third countries. He also pointed to what he described as the balanced position of SCO countries on the Ukrainian crisis and Russia’s actions, saying Moscow hopes this approach will be strengthened further.