Saint Petersburg: Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, stated on Saturday that his country did not oppose talks regarding Ukraine and that both a Chinese and an African peace initiative could serve as a foundation for peace.

After meeting African leaders in St. Petersburg on Friday, he was speaking at a press conference.

He added that it was challenging to enforce a cease-fire when the Ukrainian army was in the ascendant and that for the time being, there have been no notable adjustments or escalation of operations on the Ukrainian front.

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The figures cited by Putin could not be verified, but he claimed that since June 4th, Ukraine had lost 415 tanks and 1,300 armoured vehicles.

Putin also stated on Saturday that no one wants a direct confrontation between NATO and Russian forces in Syria.

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The BRICS summit will not be attended in person by the Russian president, who stated on Saturday that he did not believe the visit would be more significant than him remaining in Russia.

Last week, the Kremlin announced that Putin would participate in the BRICS summit via video call. Instead of Putin, Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, will attend the Johannesburg summit from August 22 to 24.

The BRICS summit will not be attended in person by the Russian president, who stated on Saturday that he did not believe the visit would be more significant than him remaining in Russia.

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Last week, the Kremlin announced that Putin would participate in the BRICS summit via video call. Instead of Putin, Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, will attend the Johannesburg summit from August 22 to 24.