No peace in Ukraine until Russia achieves its goal affirms Putin
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that there would be no resolution to the conflict in Ukraine until the Kremlin achieves its longstanding objectives. These goals, which have remained unchanged during nearly two years of intense fighting, have escalated tensions between Moscow and the West. During a lengthy year-end news conference, lasting over four hours, Putin shared rare insights into Moscow’s “special military operation.”
Putin dismissed the idea of a second wave of mobilization of reservists to engage in the conflict in Ukraine, a move widely unpopular among the public. He mentioned that approximately 617,000 Russian soldiers are currently stationed in Ukraine, with around 244,000 troops having been called up to fight alongside professional military forces.
Reiterating a common Kremlin stance, Putin asserted that peace would only come when Russia achieves its objectives, expressing confidence in eventual victory. As the second winter of the conflict approached, Putin highlighted the Russian military’s advancements in Ukraine, claiming that their forces were actively improving positions along the entire contact line.
“stupid and irresponsible”
According to Putin, despite the enemy’s declaration of a significant counteroffensive, Ukrainian attempts to establish a bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River failed, resulting in heavy losses for Ukrainian troops. Putin accused Kyiv of sacrificing its soldiers to demonstrate success to Western sponsors and seek additional aid, deeming it “stupid and irresponsible.”
On the topic of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Putin stated that he did not oppose Russians participating but urged the country to consider whether participation was warranted if the event aimed to portray Russian sport as “dying.” He raised concerns about the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) conditions for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals without flags, emblems, or anthems.
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Putin, who recently announced his candidacy for reelection after nearly 24 years in power, faced applause upon entering the central Moscow hall. This marked his return to the traditional year-end news conference, which he had skipped the previous year following the failure of his military to capture Kyiv and the subsequent territorial losses. Notably, this was the first time Putin took questions from Western journalists since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, with over 2 million questions submitted by ordinary citizens and journalists in advance.