Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded the year with a defiant and bitter tone, using his annual marathon press conference to demand 'respect' from the West while claiming incremental gains in the nearly four-year-old war against Ukraine.
A Conference Against the Backdrop of New Western Aid
The event, lasting over four hours, unfolded just after European leaders agreed to extend a massive $105 billion interest-free loan to Kyiv. This financial lifeline is designed to sustain Ukraine's resistance as the conflict, which Putin launched in February 2022, approaches its fourth year. While the EU stopped short of directly transferring frozen Russian assets, the package provides Ukraine with crucial time and resources.
With this new aid in mind, Putin struck a hard line. He detailed what he described as Russia's advancing positions, asserting that his forces were "advancing across the whole of the front line." He named several towns and villages that Moscow claims are now under its full or partial control.
Deflecting Blame and Repeating Core Demands
Throughout the conference, Putin deflected responsibility for the devastating human cost of the war, insisting that Russia "did not start this war." He revisited long-standing grievances, particularly blaming NATO's eastward expansion after the Cold War for the current crisis.
He hinted at a conditional openness to negotiations, stating Moscow was ready for a peaceful end based on previously outlined principles. However, his core demands, which he tied to the "root causes" of the conflict, remain unchanged. These include:
- Ukraine's withdrawal from the Donbas region.
- A halt to NATO expansion.
- Fundamental political changes in Kyiv.
Putin argued that if Russia were treated with the respect it deserves, it would not need to resort to further "special military operations." Critics were quick to point out that Russia's 2022 invasion directly spurred NATO's growth in Northern Europe, including the accession of Finland and Sweden.
The Trump Diplomatic Card
The Russian leader's remarks come as the administration of US President Donald Trump pursues an unconventional diplomatic push to end the war. Putin publicly praised Trump's role, saying the American president was "making serious efforts to end the conflict."
Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to hold talks with senior Russian figures, including Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund and a key Putin ally. These discussions aim to explore possible pathways to peace.
Despite the diplomatic overtures and Putin's talk of negotiations, analysts note that the Russian president's fundamental red lines and demands show no sign of shifting. The war, now a grinding stalemate with heavy casualties, continues with no clear end in sight, even as external diplomatic efforts gain momentum.
