Vladimir Putin met with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Key points:

http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/73506

🔹 The situation in Avdeyevka is apparently a success that needs to be expanded. But it must be well prepared with the proper number of personnel and the appropriate amount of weaponry, military hardware and munitions.

🔹 All the military units and service personnel that were engaged in taking Avdeyevka acted heroically and deserve top decorations, awards and words of gratitude.

🔹 The liberation of the village of Krynki on Dnieper’s left bank is also a job well-done.

🔹 We have always acted and should act with regard to POWs in strict compliance with international law and conventions.

🔹 As for the deployment of nuclear weapons in outer space that the West has been talking about lately, our position is clear and transparent: we have always categorically opposed this. We urge all parties to honour all nuclear weapons agreements; we have repeatedly suggested stepping up this joint work.

🔹 We have never been against holding talks. This is true for both Ukraine and for strategic stability in the world. We do not rule anything out, and we will not give away anything, but we have to sort out what the Western nations actually want. They generally want unilateral advantage, but they won’t get it.

WtR