"Putin Raises Stakes in Ukraine Deal as Vampires' Ball Nears End"

In a pre-election interview, Vladimir Putin discussed Russia's willingness to negotiate based on battlefield realities, its military preparedness for nuclear war, and the nullification of U.S. investments in missile defense systems by Russia's hypersonic glide vehicle. He warned Finland about joining NATO, accused Poland of having territorial designs on Ukraine, and addressed Western military presence in Ukraine and Africa. Putin also accused Ukraine of escalating drone attacks ahead of Russia's presidential election and endorsed the idea of fair taxation with lower rates for lower-earning Russians.