Russia’s Putin believes there is a positive energy in Ukraine’s military operations

MOSCOW (Reuters), Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the special military operation showed a positive trend, and that he hoped Russian troops would make further gains after Soledar.

Rossiya 1 state television reported that Putin said “The dynamic was positive.” “Everything is developing within a framework of the Ministry of Defense & the General Staff.”

Putin said, “And I wish that our fighters would please us even more by the results of their fight.”

Russia claimed Friday that it had taken control over Soledar in eastern Ukraine. This was a rare victory for Moscow, after months of battle losses.

Russia’s economy has been remarkable resilient since the West imposed severe sanctions over the war with Ukraine. But, China is now the biggest producer of natural resource in the world.

Putin stated that the economic situation is stable. “Much better than what our opponents predicted, but also what I forecast.”

Putin stated that unemployment was a key indicator.

“Unemployment has fallen to a historic low.” The inflation rate is much lower than anticipated and shows a significant downward trend.

Russia’s economy contracted in 2022 due to sanctions, but it was much less than many economists predicted. Russian government predicts that Russia’s $2.14 trillion economy will shrink by 0.8% in 2023.

Russia’s budget for 2023 is based upon a Urals blend price around $70.1 per barrel. Russia’s main blend trades at less than $50 per barrel.

(Reporting By Guy Faulconbridge