Putin: Russia Cannot Be Isolated-RIA

Wires carrying reports from Russian state-run media RIA and IFX saying that President Vladimir Putin has asserted that Russia cannot be isolated from the rest of the world, and does not plan to exist in isolation.

• Says that the 'special military operation' in Ukraine will continue until it has been deemed successful, and that there is no doubt that this will be achieved.
• Putin's attempts to deny the possibility of Russian isolation comes after a largely downbeat meeting with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer yesterday. Nehammer stated after the meeting that "If you're asking me whether I am optimistic or pessimistic, I'm rather pessimistic," adding that there was little interest in the prospect of a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - an event that is viewed as an almost essential precursor to a ceasefire.