The day Putin priced the war

Putin disclosed the military operation's annual cost at 13.5 trillion rubles during his Minsk press conference, acknowledging inflation as the price paid for defense spending at 6.3% of GDP. He simultaneously announced readiness for a third round of Ukraine negotiations, suggesting Istanbul as a venue while stating the sides remain "nowhere close" on peace terms.

The economic revelation followed previous days of diplomatic positioning after Trump's announced Putin call. Morning coverage focused on overnight drone attacks, with defense systems reportedly intercepting 39 Ukrainian drones across six regions.

Putin's dual messaging of war costs and negotiation readiness dominated afternoon headlines across state outlets. He indicated future defense spending reductions while maintaining Russia's military objectives must be achieved. The disclosure came after complaints from business leaders about economic pressures, marking a rare acknowledgment of the operation's financial burden.