On December 19, the traditional direct dialogue and extensive press conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin took place in Moscow. For nearly four and a half hours, the head of state addressed pressing societal questions, the situation on the frontlines, and global politics in detail. Below are the key highlights of the meeting.
The Situation on the Frontline and "Strategic Initiative"
Putin emphasized that after operations in the Kursk region, the initiative in the war has fully shifted to the possession of the Russian Armed Forces.
- Seversk and Slavyansk: The capture of Seversk has created significant opportunities to launch an offensive in the Slavyansk direction. Additionally, full control of Krasny Liman is expected soon.
- Kupyansk Encirclement: The city, taken several weeks ago, now sees around 15 Ukrainian battalions (approximately 3,500 soldiers) trapped in an encirclement.
- Regarding Zelensky: Commenting on the Ukrainian president's video at the outskirts of Kupyansk, Putin described him as a "skilled performer" and sarcastically remarked, "If the city is yours, go inside. Why are you standing at the doorstep?"
- Peace Negotiations: Russia is ready for dialogue but refuses to accept responsibility for the ongoing bloodshed, arguing that the conflict was initiated by Kyiv and its Western backers.
Economy: Stability and "Pillaging"
Despite external pressures, the Russian economy continues to grow. The GDP has increased by a total of 9.7% over the past three years.
- Inflation: By the end of the year, inflation is expected to remain around 5.7-5.8%, which is lower than the government's set target of 6%.
- Frozen Assets: Putin openly labeled Western attempts to confiscate Russian funds as "pillaging." In his view, such measures erode trust in the eurozone and will have severe consequences for the perpetrators in the future.
Demography and National Values
The president identified increasing the birth rate as a top priority. In Russia, the rate currently stands at 1.4%, but it needs to reach at least 2%.
- Early Marriages: He praised the Caucasian tradition of young people marrying early and emphasized that others should take inspiration from this practice.
- Spiritual Values: "God is one and does not distinguish between which church people attend," Putin stated. He also referred to occult services and witchcraft as "satanism" and underlined the need to combat them with caution.
International Relations and NATO
Speaking about NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Putin highlighted that while he is intelligent, his recent statements lack professionalism. "If the U.S. does not consider us an enemy, then why is NATO preparing for war?" he questioned.
Russia reiterated its readiness to cooperate with the West (U.S., Britain, Europe) but stressed that this cooperation must occur on the foundation of mutual respect and equality.
Do you believe Vladimir Putin’s statements could bring significant changes to the situation in Ukraine in 2026?
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