Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Romania to provide objective data regarding a recent drone intrusion that injured two people in Galati, during his press conference in Astana, Kazakhstan on Friday. The incident, which NATO attributed to Russia, prompted Putin to call for an immediate investigation into suspected Ukrainian drone activity near the Romanian border.

Speaking at the event, Putin stated that “the situation on the battlefield gives reason to believe that (the conflict) is drawing to a close,” adding Moscow maintains limited contacts but has not initiated peace talks. He also warned that Russia possesses the capability to “raze to the ground” any nation attempting aggression, referencing Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys’ recent comments about NATO’s potential military actions in Kaliningrad.

Putin criticized Western media outlets for failing to report on a deadly attack in Starobelsk, Ukraine, last week that killed 21 students and injured over 40 others, stating, “Not a single word was said about the tragedy in Starobelsk, where our children were deliberately killed.” He noted suspected Ukrainian drones had recently entered Baltic states and Finland.

On Armenia’s economic future, Putin emphasized that leaving the Eurasian Economic Union could cost the nation at least 14% of its GDP, highlighting Russia as Armenia’s largest trading partner and provider of discounted natural gas.