Russia Does Not Seek to Restore the Soviet Union, Says Putin

Russia does not seek to restore the Soviet Union; it is no longer needed. This was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday during a ceremony marking the acceptance of four new regions into Russia.

"The Soviet Union is gone; the past is gone. Yes, and today Russia no longer needs that; we do not strive for that," he said.

“However, there is nothing stronger than the determination of millions of people who consider themselves a part of Russia through their culture, faith, traditions, and language,” Putin added.

Putin urged Kyiv to immediately cease military operations and return to the negotiating table. 

“We call on the Kyiv regime to immediately stop the fire, all military operations, the war it unleashed back in 2014, and return to the negotiating table,” he said, noting that Russia has repeatedly expressed its readiness to negotiate.