Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed today, Friday, that his country is open to cooperation with the United States in Alaska, but emphasized that “it requires a political decision from Washington to resume economic participation.”

Putin explained during his speech at an economic forum in Vladivostok, in Russia’s Far East, that the United States “has significant resource potential in Alaska,” while “Russia possesses effective technologies for oil and gas development.”

At the same time, the Russian president pointed out that “the Russian and Chinese economies complement each other,” noting that Moscow and Beijing “share a common approach and values.” This statement came after Putin concluded a visit to China, during which a memorandum was signed to establish a new gas pipeline between the two countries.

Putin also confirmed that “Russia will fully comply with security agreements and guarantees regarding Ukraine if reached,” stressing that “guarantees must be for both Russia and Ukraine equally.”

He noted that “there is no point in having foreign military personnel in Ukraine after reaching a sustainable peace agreement.”

Meanwhile, the commander of the Ukrainian drone forces announced that the Ukrainian army targeted the “Ryazan” oil refinery in Russia today, in addition to an oil depot in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region, in the latest series of strikes targeting energy infrastructure.

This escalation comes amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, now in its third year, with Kyiv focusing in recent months on targeting Russian energy facilities through drone attacks to weaken Moscow’s economic and military capabilities. Conversely, Russia seeks to strengthen its eastern alliances, especially with China, in response to Western pressures and sanctions imposed since the war began in February 2022.