In a recent address to senior news leaders of international news agencies, including The Associated Press, President Vladimir Putin issued a warning to Germany regarding Ukraine's use of Western weapons to strike inside Russia. Putin stated that such actions would be viewed as a "dangerous step" and could lead to potential retaliation, including the provision of long-range arms to other countries with the capability to strike Western targets.

Putin expressed concerns that the involvement of Western weapons in the conflict would further undermine international security and could result in "very serious problems." He emphasized that if the West decided to deliver weapons to Ukraine for strikes on Russian territory, Moscow would reserve the right to respond in a similar manner.

Highlighting the potential issue with using Western weapons, Putin pointed out that involving military personnel from these countries in controlling missiles and selecting targets opens the door for Moscow to take "asymmetrical" steps elsewhere in the world. He questioned why Russia wouldn't have the right to supply similar weapons to regions where they could be used to strike sensitive facilities of countries that pose a threat.

The Russian President expressed dismay over recent actions by Germany, where they joined the United States in authorizing Ukraine to hit some targets on Russian soil using the long-range weapons supplied by both nations. The delivery of German tanks to Ukraine was particularly surprising for Russia, and Putin emphasized that such moves would severely damage Russian-German relations if missiles were used to strike facilities within Russian territory.

Additionally, reports emerged stating that Ukraine has utilized U.S. weapons to strike inside Russia, following newly approved guidance from President Joe Biden. Under this guidance, American arms can be used for the limited purpose of defending Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. However, a Western official and a U.S. senator, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed these allegations.

During the address, Putin also addressed the issue of Russia-U.S. relations, stating that regardless of whether Biden or former President Donald Trump wins the American presidential election in November, there would be no significant change in the relationship between the two countries. He mentioned that Russia would work with any president elected by the American people.

Putin also commented on Trump's felony conviction at his hush money trial, describing it as a result of "the use of the court system as part of the internal political struggle."

The session with journalists covered various topics, but the ongoing conflict in Ukraine dominated the discussion. Putin claimed that the West had missed opportunities to end the fighting, referencing a supposed letter he wrote to Biden suggesting that hostilities could have ceased within two to three months if Washington had stopped supplying Kyiv with weapons.

Regarding military losses, Putin stated that no country would disclose such information during hostilities. However, he claimed that Ukraine's casualties were five times higher than Russia's, without providing specific details. He added that Ukraine currently holds over 1,300 Russian troops in captivity, while Russia is holding more than 6,400 Ukrainian soldiers.

Beyond the Ukraine conflict, Putin mentioned the efforts being made by the U.S. to secure the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been imprisoned for over a year on espionage charges. Putin stated that decisions on such releases are not made via mass media but through discreet and professional approaches, highlighting the possibility of a prisoner swap.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum served as a platform for Putin to promote Russia's development and attract investors. While meetings with journalists were held in previous sessions, Putin had not taken questions from Western journalists at the event since the Russian military intervention in Ukraine. Last year, journalists from countries regarded as unfriendly by Russia, including the U.S., the U.K., and the European Union, were not invited, and Western officials and investors also stayed away due to the imposition of extensive sanctions on Moscow over the Ukrainian crisis.