MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed Friday that Moscow’s troops are advancing on the battlefield in Ukraine and expressed confidence that the Kremlin will achieve its goals militarily if Kiev does not agree to Russia’s terms in peace talks.
Speaking at a carefully planned annual press conference that lasted about 4.5 hours, Putin declared that the Russian military had “fully grasped the strategic initiative” and would make more progress before the end of the year.
Early in the conflict in 2022, Ukrainian forces thwarted an attempt by Russia’s larger and better-equipped army to capture the capital, Kiev. But the fighting soon devolved into brutal fighting, with Muscovite forces making slow but steady progress over the years. Putin often touts the progress — though it’s not the lightning-fast progress many expected.
“Our troops are advancing across the entire line of contact, faster in some areas and slower in others, but the enemy is retreating in all areas,” Putin said during a live press conference. The conference was combined with a nationwide call-in program to give Russians across the country the opportunity to ask questions of the leader.
Putin, 73, who has ruled the country for 25 years, used the event to consolidate his power and express his views on domestic and international affairs.
This year’s press conference took place against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine. Despite an extensive diplomatic push, Washington’s efforts have been met with seriously conflicting demands between Moscow and Kiev.
While the event has previously focused on domestic issues and given Putin a chance to speak on topics ranging from egg prices to water cuts, Ukraine dominated the event this year. As carefully crafted as it was, it may reflect the Kremlin’s desire to appease the public after nearly four years of fighting.
Russia demands unchanged
Putin reiterated that Moscow was ready for a peaceful solution to the “root causes” of the conflict, referring to the Kremlin’s tough conditions for a deal.
Russian leaders want all of the four key regions occupied by their troops, as well as the Crimean peninsula illegally annexed in 2014, to be recognized as Russian territory. He also insisted that Ukraine withdraw its troops from some areas of eastern Ukraine that Moscow’s forces have not yet occupied. Kyiv publicly rejected all these demands.
The Kremlin has also insisted that Ukraine abandon its application to join NATO, warning that it will not accept the deployment of any troops from members of the military alliance and considers them “legitimate targets.”
Putin has also repeatedly said Ukraine must limit the size of its military and give the Russian language official status – something he has demanded from the beginning of the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is prepared to abandon its application to join NATO if the United States and other Western countries provide Kyiv with security guarantees similar to those provided to alliance members. But at the same time, he emphasized that Ukraine believes that joining NATO is still the best security guarantee.
“The United States currently does not see us in NATO. Politicians are changing,” Zelensky said this week.
Commenting on Zelensky’s statement about readiness to hold presidential elections if a ceasefire is reached, Putin responded that Russia held the elections without calling for a ceasefire. He said Moscow was ready to consider the issue and might agree to halt attacks in Ukraine on election day, but noted that millions of Ukrainians living in Russia must have the right to vote.
Putin has dismissed Western claims that Russia plans to attack European countries as “pure nonsense” aimed at diverting public attention from domestic problems.
He singled out NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s remarks about the Kremlin’s aggressive intentions, noting that Trump’s recently released national security strategy did not list Russia as a direct adversary. “How do you prepare NATO for a war with Russia if the main members of NATO don’t see us as enemies?” Putin said.
He claimed that European elites “disrespectfully” supported Trump’s Democratic rival Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and now hope that the US political landscape will change after the congressional midterm elections, which will help increase pressure on the White House.
Putin warns any seizure of Russian assets will be counterproductive
Ukraine is on the brink of bankruptcy as it faces Russia’s onslaught on the front lines and relentless attacks on its energy facilities – and it desperately needs more cash from its Western allies.
EU leaders agreed on Friday to provide huge interest-free loans, but failed to bridge differences with Belgium, which could have used frozen Russian assets to raise funds.
Leaders tried to reassure Belgium, which holds most of the frozen assets, that they would protect Belgium from Moscow’s retaliation if it backed the plan, but ultimately opted to borrow the money on capital markets.
Putin said using Russian assets to help Kiev amounted to “robbery”, adding that the move would scare investors and “not only cause an image hit, but also undermine confidence in the euro zone”.
Putin says troop numbers are strong
Putin told the audience that the flow of volunteers remains strong, exceeding 400,000 this year. This claim could not be independently verified as little is known about the recruitment effort.
But the government has helped expand the force by offering relatively high wages and extensive benefits. The Kremlin says it relies entirely on volunteers to fight in Ukraine, but some media reports and human rights groups say officers often force conscripts to sign military contracts.
When a soldier’s widow asked about slow pension payments, Putin apologized and vowed that the issue would be resolved soon – a typical exchange at the annual event, which the Russian leader often uses to demonstrate his mastery of a wide range of areas and his ability to solve problems.
During the press conference, reporters asked questions at the Gostin Niedvoll Amphitheater and via video link from across Russia. A young man wearing a red bow tie and holding a “Want to Get Married” placard proposed to his girlfriend with questions posed to Putin. Later, an anchor hosting the event reported that she answered “yes,” and Putin joked about raising money for the wedding.