Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russian forces possess a strategic advantage in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. In a live televised meeting from the Kremlin, Putin asserted that Ukraine is unable to stop Russian advances and is resorting to "terrorist methods" in response.

According to Anadolu Agency, Putin emphasized that Russian troops maintain their strategic edge and continue to advance confidently, despite Ukrainian shelling and drone strikes. He highlighted that, as of June 4, Russia had established full control over Ukraine's Luhansk region and controlled significant portions of the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Putin claimed Russian forces had recently captured about 2,440 square kilometers of territory and are progressing along the front line, with battlefield developments favoring Russia.

In contrast, Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Ukrainian forces had regained over 600 square kilometers of territory since the beginning of the year. Syrskyi, via a statement on Telegram, noted that Ukrainian troops have maintained the initiative in certain sectors and have recaptured nearly 100 square kilometers more territory this month than lost.

Efforts for peace through US-mediated talks have stalled following US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently called for direct negotiations with Putin, expressing Ukraine's willingness to observe a ceasefire during such talks. However, Putin dismissed the idea, citing previous unsuccessful direct discussions with Zelenskyy.