In a 4½-hour televised address, President Vladimir Putin insisted that Russian troops are pushing forward across Ukraine’s front lines and that Moscow will achieve its objectives if Kyiv refuses to meet its demands.
The Annual News Conference
Putin’s annual news conference, which lasted about four and a half hours, combined a live broadcast with a nationwide call-in show that lets Russians across the country ask questions. The event is tightly choreographed, and Putin often uses it to reinforce his authority and to mix criticism of the West with promises of increased social payments.
Military Positioning
During the conference, Putin declared that Russian forces have “fully seized strategic initiative” and that they are advancing “all across the line of contact, faster in some areas or slower in others, but the enemy is retreating in all sectors.” He added that more gains would be made by the end of the year.
Peace Talks and Russian Demands
The backdrop of the address was the U.S. peace plan for Ukraine put forward by President Donald Trump. Despite Washington’s diplomatic push, Moscow and Kyiv have sharply conflicting demands. Putin praised Trump’s efforts and reaffirmed that Moscow was ready for a settlement addressing the “root causes” of the conflict. He said he had agreed to make “certain compromises” and “uneasy decisions” at the Alaska summit with Trump in August, though he did not elaborate.
He insists that all areas in four key regions captured by Russian forces, as well as the Crimean Peninsula, must be recognized as Russian territory. He also demands that Ukraine withdraw from some areas in eastern Ukraine that Moscow has not yet taken. Kyiv has publicly rejected all these demands.
The Kremlin also insists that Ukraine abandon its bid to join NATO and warns that it would not accept the deployment of any NATO troops, calling them “legitimate targets.”
NATO and Ukraine’s Security Guarantees
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was ready to drop Ukraine’s NATO bid if the United States and other Western nations provided security guarantees similar to those offered to alliance members. He also stressed that NATO membership remains the best security guarantee for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy added, “The United States don’t see us in NATO, for now,” and “Politicians change.”
When Zelenskyy mentioned he would call a presidential election if a ceasefire was established, Putin responded that Russia has held elections without demanding a truce. He said Moscow could consider halting attacks deep inside Ukraine on election day, noting that millions of Ukrainians living in Russia must have the right to vote. Ukraine has introduced martial law banning elections, but Russia has not made a similar move.
Economic Measures and Frozen Assets
On the same day, European Union leaders agreed to provide a massive interest-free loan to Ukraine, but they could not reconcile differences with Belgium over using frozen Russian assets to raise the funds. Leaders tried to reassure Belgium, where most frozen assets are held, that they would protect it from retaliation if it backed the plan. Ultimately, they chose to borrow the money on capital markets.
Using Russian assets to help Kyiv would have amounted to “robbery,” Putin said, adding that the move would spook investors and “dealing not only an image blow but undermining confidence in the eurozone.”
Troop Numbers and Domestic Issues
Putin said the flow of volunteer soldiers remained strong, topping 400,000 this year. The government offers high pay and extensive benefits, which have helped swell troop ranks. The Kremlin says it relies exclusively on volunteers, though some media reports and rights groups claim officers often coerce conscripts into signing military contracts.
When a soldier’s widow asked about slow pension payments, Putin apologized and vowed the issue would be quickly resolved. Such exchanges are typical at the annual event, which he uses to demonstrate command over a wide array of subjects.
Audience Interaction and Personal Touches
The news conference featured questions from journalists in the Gostinny Dvor amphitheater and via video links from across Russia. A young man in a red bow tie held a placard saying he wanted to get married and used his question to ask Putin to propose to his girlfriend. Later, one of the anchors hosting the event reported that she had answered “yes,” and Putin joked about collecting money for the wedding.
Key Takeaways
- Putin claims Russian forces have “fully seized strategic initiative” and will advance further before year’s end.
- Moscow’s demands for Ukraine include recognition of Crimea, withdrawal from eastern areas, and abandonment of NATO ambitions.
- The EU loan plan failed over Belgium’s concerns about using frozen Russian assets, a move Putin called “robbery.”
Putin’s address underscored Moscow’s determination to press its military and diplomatic agenda while maintaining a tight narrative for domestic audiences. The Kremlin’s insistence on specific conditions for peace, coupled with its framing of Ukraine’s security choices, signals that any resolution will hinge on Russia’s acceptance of its territorial and strategic goals.
