Putin vows continued military spending to achieve Ukraine war goals

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected any suggestion of de-escalating the war in Ukraine, affirming that Moscow will continue to allocate significant resources to achieve its military objectives.

His remarks come in his first statement following a public appeal from Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to freeze the conflict and return to the negotiating table.

Speaking to members of the Russian Navy in St. Petersburg on Navy Day, Putin said Russia is "compelled to allocate considerable resources, which is justified, to ensure the success and achievement of the special military operation's goals."

He added that plans to develop the Russian fleet would continue in parallel with the demands of the war, according to Russia's TASS news agency.

Putin also praised the role of the Marine Corps in the conflict, stating that Russian ships continue to deliver "devastating strikes" with precision weapons, while marines advance on the battlefield.

He added that "the entire country awaits their victorious return home," reflecting the Kremlin's commitment to a military solution despite mounting international pressure, according to Agence France-Presse.

Indirect response

Putin's comments come less than 24 hours after an unusual call by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a meeting with his Russian counterpart in Omsk, where he said the war "must stop," adding: "It is regrettable that young people are dying... all this must end."

He also called for a freeze in fighting and a return to the Istanbul negotiation track as a step toward lasting peace—a rare public stance from one of Moscow's closest allies.

Putin's remarks coincided with ongoing escalation between Moscow and Kyiv, as Ukraine announced drone attacks targeting an oil refinery in Siberia and a military facility in Kirov region.

Meanwhile, Russia said its air defenses intercepted more than 300 Ukrainian drones in a single day, marking one of the largest waves of attacks since the war began.

Both sides also traded accusations of targeting civilian sites and ships in the Black Sea, while the United Nations warned of rising civilian casualties in recent weeks.