Afrasianet - Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on Wednesday during an expanded meeting of the Council of the Russian Ministry of Defense about the progress and prospects of the special military operation, ways to achieve peace and the development of national defense industries. 

The following are the main themes of the Russian President's speech:

Situation in the Special Military Operation Area

•    If Kyiv rejects substantive negotiations, Russia will liberate territory by military force and all the objectives of the special military operation will be achieved.

•    The year 2025 was an important milestone in achieving the objectives of Special Operation, as the Russian military liberated more than 300 residential centers and maintained strategic initiative along the front line, accelerating the pace of progress in strategically important areas.

•    Russian military forces inflict heavy casualties on the enemy, including elite units trained in Western military centers.

•    The Russian Armed Forces will continue to work on the expansion of the buffer zone.

•    North Korean army soldiers showed great courage in the battles for the liberation of Kursk province, and participated in large-scale demining operations there.

•     Development of Russian Defense Industries.

•    The capabilities of the Russian military are constantly evolving and defense industry companies are producing weapons and equipment needed by the forces in increasing quantities.

•    The Orichenek missile system will be put into combat service by the end of this year.

•    Russia will continue to develop and improve the Borevestnik missiles and Poseidon unmanned submarines, which will remain unique for a long time to come, and will ensure Russia's strategic parity and security for decades to come.

•    Strengthening strategic nuclear forces is a priority for Russia, as it is a key element of deterrence.

•    Russia's nuclear shield has become more than just a component of any nuclear state. We use weapons that do not exist in the world and will have no parallel for some time.

•    The geopolitical situation remains tense and even critical in some areas.

•    Some European leaders have forgotten their responsibility and are preoccupied with their own self-interest, instilling in people's minds fears about the inevitability of a clash with Russia and raising their hysteria.

•    European allegations about Russia's possible attack on Europe are just lies and nonsense.

•    Russia has always sought to resolve all matters peacefully to the end.

•    NATO Continues to Provide Large-Scale Military Assistance to Ukraine.

•    Moscow welcomes progress in contacts with US President Donald Trump's administration.

•    Russia calls for building equal cooperation with both the United States and Europe.

•    Russia shares experiences gained during the special military operation with its foreign partners.

•    The West deliberately dragged the situation into war, ignoring Russia's interests.

•    Ukrainian forces are retreating and disintegrating, there are 100,000 Ukrainian army deserters.

•    It has become clear that the Ukrainian state is collapsing as evidenced by the "golden toilets"  and hundreds of thousands of deserters and conscripts.