President Vladimir Putin of Russia reiterated his stance on the Ukraine conflict during a press conference on Thursday, expressing readiness to negotiate a resolution with US President-elect Donald Trump. While emphasizing that talks could occur without preconditions, Putin insisted that any agreement must involve the legitimate Ukrainian government. He further stated that Russia was open to negotiations with all parties, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In his annual Q&A session, Putin addressed a reporter’s query regarding his willingness to meet with Trump after years of no communication. He expressed his openness to discussions with Trump on resolving the war. However, the Russian leader firmly rejected suggestions that Russia was weak in the conflict, claiming that the country had grown stronger since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Despite this, Putin made it clear that Kyiv must also be ready to make concessions for peace.
The Russian president dismissed the idea of a temporary truce, preferring a long-term peace agreement. He pointed to an earlier proposal from Istanbul that had been left unimplemented, suggesting that such a framework could form the basis of future negotiations. Some Ukrainian politicians had criticized the proposal as a surrender, which further complicated its acceptance.
Putin defended the invasion by asserting that it was a defensive action against NATO expansion, despite Russia now controlling approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory. In response to a question about his handling of the situation, Putin reflected that he should have intervened in Ukraine sooner than 2022. He also admitted that Russia had been underprepared for the war.
Putin was also asked about his legacy as the leader of Russia. He responded affirmatively, noting that he had succeeded in steering Russia away from potential collapse. “We have moved back from the edge of the abyss,” he remarked, adding that he had worked to ensure Russia remained an independent and sovereign power capable of acting in its interests.
On the military front, Putin discussed the recent test of Russia’s “Oreshnik” hypersonic missile, which targeted a Ukrainian military facility. He suggested that he might organize another test launch to determine whether Western air defense systems could intercept it.
In a sharp retort, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, during a press conference at a European Council meeting in Brussels, responded to Putin’s missile remarks, asking, “Do you think he is a sane person?”