Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia expects a full restoration of relations with the United States and emphasized that Russia does not have unfriendly countries, only unfriendly elites within certain states. He reiterated that the conflict in Ukraine began in 2014 when tanks and aircraft were used against civilians in the Donbas region and asserted that Russia is doing everything to end the war. Putin highlighted the importance of sovereignty for Russia, warning that Western Europe has largely lost its sovereignty. He expressed confidence that Russia can overcome any challenges it faces and stressed that if other countries cannot reach agreements among themselves, Russia will proceed independently.