The Guardian reported on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted the war in Ukraine has significantly strengthened Russia while dismissing claims that the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has weakened Moscow’s position.
Putin aimed to project confidence both domestically and internationally during an extensive year-end press conference and TV call-in event. The press conference lasted four and a half hours.
Putin labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as an “illegitimate President” and expressed readiness to meet with U.S. President-elect President Donald Trump to discuss peace proposals for ending the war. He reaffirmed his stance on maintaining Moscow’s control over Crimea and the four Ukrainian regions Russia claimed in 2022.
According to The Guardian, Putin stated Russia is prepared for “negotiations and compromises” to end the fighting. He set conditions: Ukraine must not join NATO, maintain neutrality, undergo demilitarization, and the West must lift sanctions against Russia.
As the Trump administration promises to end the war in Ukraine, Moscow and Kyiv swiftly are cautiously considering the possibility of talks.
Most Commented