In this photo released by Roscongress Foundation, Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 (Vyacheslav Viktorov, Roscongress Foundation via AP)

At the plenary session of the ongoing Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russia and China reached an unexpected level of cooperation.

"Indeed, in recent years we have reached an unprecedented level of our relations, this applies to all areas of our interaction", he said, adding that both nations do not establish military alliances or are not friends against anyone, since countries become friends in the interests of their people, just like them.

Concerning bilateral negotiations on wide-body aircraft, he said that although talks have long been underway, there is progress, adding that even though both countries cannot reach an agreement on the supply of pork from China, it would be incorrect to say that they do not respond to each other's requests.

In regard to China, Putin believes that the West is trying to impede its development but because new centers of power such as India and Indonesia as well will emerge, it is becoming a difficult task for them.

"Today, the West is trying to restrain the development of China because it sees that China, under the leadership of ... [President Xi Jinping], is developing by leaps and bounds. This leaves them [Western states] in shock. They are doing everything to slow down the development of China, but this will not be possible, they are too late. That is it, the train has left," he said.

On Ukraine

The President commented during the plenary EEF session that Ukraine's military casualties as a result of the counteroffensive amounted to 71,000.

"Ukraine is conducting a so-called counteroffensive. But there are no results …failure, not [just a] failure... There are losses, huge losses. Since the beginning of the counteroffensive, the loss of personnel is 71,000 people," he revealed, noting that Ukraine lost 543 tanks and around 18,000 armored vehicles as well.

"Forced mobilization" in Ukraine was also taking place, as Putin called it "one wave after another". Regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's law banning bilateral negotiations, he added that everything will change course if the US makes such decisions.

Meanwhile, Putin continues to brush off the significance of Ukrainian announcements that their armed forces are due to soon receive F-16 fighter jets from Western allies. "They are going to deliver F-16s. Will this change anything? I don't think so It will just prolong the conflict".

So far in the past six to seven months, a total of 270,000 Russians signed military contracts and became volunteers.

"Over the past 6-7 months, 270,000 people have voluntarily signed or already signed contracts for service in the armed forces and volunteer units," he announced.

No beef with Armenia

Regarding matters of communication with Armenia, Putin said that he remains in contact with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and that there are no problems.

"He [Pashinyan] sent me a detailed letter. We are in contact with him. We have no problems with Armenia and Prime Minister Pashinyan," Putin said, adding that Armenia essentially recognized Azerbaijan's sovereignty over the contested Nagorno-Karabakh.

"The Armenian leadership essentially recognized Azerbaijan's sovereignty over [Nagorno-] Karabakh and put it simply down on paper in its Prague statement. We know it, there is nothing to say here. And now [Azerbaijani] President [Ilham] Aliyev has been telling me, 'Do you know that Armenia has recognized that Karabakh is ours, that there is no issue around its status, it has been resolved?' The Armenian leadership publicly announced it".

However, Putin declared that the presence of Russian peacekeepers in the area is still in effect.

Further, he stated that he does not believe any change in course or "U-turn" will take place in the relations between the US and Armenia.

"I don't think there is any U-turn happening here. We see and understand what is happening".

Speaking of the US, Putin called American tech mogul Elon Musk an outstanding and talented businessman, who proved successful in various fields "including with the support of the US" government.

"As for private business and Elon Musk. He is certainly an outstanding person. It must be admitted. I think this is recognized globally. He is an active, talented businessman. He is successful in a lot of things, including with the support of the US," he said.