Putin comments on whether Russia is losing the war, says Biden should come eat pancakes

On October 18 while attending the Chinese government's Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, Russian President Vladimir provided comments during a press conference following the event.

Regarding the U.S. providing ATACMS missiles to Ukraine:

Putin said, "This creates additional threats, but we’ll be able to repel these attacks, of course. War is war. But the most important thing is that this has absolutely no chance of changing the situation on the line of contact. It’s another mistake by the United States. They’re getting drawn further and further into this conflict. That much is obvious. And don’t let anybody say that they’re not involved. We consider them involved. There’s no benefit here for Ukraine, either. It simply prolongs the agony. They’ve begun their long-awaited counteroffensive in the Kherson direction. They’ve achieved no results but there are casualties. Just like what we saw in the Zaporizhzhia direction and other places."

Putin On whether Russia is losing the war:

"If Russia has lost the war, then why provide ATACMS? Why doesn’t the U.S. take back the ATACMS and all its other weapons? Why doesn’t Biden come eat pancakes and drink tea with us?"

"An ATACMS is a long-range, guided missile that gives commanders the immediate firepower to shape the battlespace. Each ATACMS missile is packaged in a look-alike MLRS launch pod and fired from the MLRS family of launchers," per Lockheed Martin.

On peace discussions with Ukraine:

Putin commented, "We’ve been hearing that responsible figures who were wishing Russia a strategic defeat on the battlefield very recently have begun changing their tune. They’re proposing the problem be solved through peace negotiations. This is the correct transformation. Mr. Borrell is already talking about this, I’ll give him credit.

If the Ukrainian side really wants to negotiate, then rather than making theatrical gestures, it should repeal the Ukrainian president’s decree banning negotiations."

On the Gaza hospital strike on the evening of October 17:

"This is a terrible tragedy. Hundreds killed and hundreds injured. I very much hope it will serve as a sign that the conflict needs to end as soon as possible. I’ve spoken with five leaders from the region and was left with the impression that nobody wants to prolong the conflict or aggravate the situation.

We’ve always advocated for the creation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem. I don’t know whether the current crisis will contribute to the resolution of this issue, but if it does, this would be the right thing to do."

Today, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also provided a statement regarding the Gaza hospital strike on its X account and Telegram. You can read the statement from Russia's MFA in full here.

Speaking of his conversations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

On talks with Xi Jinping, Putin said, "We had a business lunch with a small guest list that included the foreign ministers from both countries, and then Chairman Xi proposed the two of us break off for a private conversation. He and I spoke face-to-face over a cup of tea. It was a very productive and substantive conversation. We spoke for about two hours, discussing highly confidential matters."