Putin says Russia has no plans to expand Ukraine conflict draft

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 14. AP-Yonhap

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Moscow has no plans to expand a mobilisation of reservists to bolster its Ukraine invasion, after an earlier draft sparked panic and an exodus from the country.

“Nothing additional is planned. No proposals have been received from the defence ministry and I don't see any additional need in the foreseeable future. Now 222,000 people have been mobilised out of 300,000. Within about two weeks, all mobilisation activities will be completed,” Putin told reporters following a summit in Kazakhstan.

Putin said he saw “no need” for talks with his US counterpart Joe Biden as tensions with Washington soar over a litany of issues including Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

“We should ask him if he's ready to hold such talks with me or not. I don't see the need, to be honest,” Putin said, asked about a potential meeting with Biden on the sidelines of a G20 summit in November. He added that his participation in the summit hosted by Indonesia is not yet decided. (AFP)