In his annual Q&A session, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated his willingness to compromise with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on the Ukraine conflict. He asserted he had no preconditions for initiating talks with Ukrainian authorities.
President-elect Trump, known for his deal-making skills, has pledged a swift resolution to the conflict, though specifics remain undisclosed.
During the televised event, Putin expressed readiness to meet Trump, acknowledging a years-long absence of communication between them.
Dismissing claims of Russia’s weakness, Putin highlighted Russia’s strengthened position since its 2022 military intervention in Ukraine.
“We’ve consistently advocated for negotiations and compromise,” Putin declared, following comments on the progress of Russian forces toward their objectives in Ukraine. He added, “Soon, those Ukrainians who want to fight will run out. In my opinion, soon there will be no one left who wants to fight. We are ready, but the other side needs to be ready for both negotiations and compromises.”
Previous reports indicated Putin’s openness to discussions with Trump, though he ruled out significant territorial concessions and insisted on Kyiv abandoning NATO aspirations.
Putin reiterated Russia’s lack of preconditions for talks with Ukraine, expressing willingness to negotiate with all parties, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
However, he stipulated that any agreement would necessitate engagement with Ukraine’s legitimate authorities, currently defined by the Kremlin as the Ukrainian parliament.
According to Putin, Zelenskyy, whose term has been extended due to martial law, would require re-election for Moscow to view him as a legitimate signatory to ensure a legally sound agreement.
Putin rejected the notion of a temporary truce, emphasizing the need for a lasting peace agreement. He suggested any talks should build upon a prior, unimplemented draft agreement reached in Istanbul during the war’s early stages.
This draft agreement is viewed by some Ukrainian politicians as a form of capitulation, potentially undermining Ukraine’s military and political goals.
Russia’s 2022 invasion has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, profoundly impacting relations between Moscow and the West. The conflict is described by Russia as a defensive operation aimed at mitigating perceived threats.
Russia controls approximately one-fifth of Ukraine, having gained several thousand square kilometers of territory this year. Its efforts to incorporate four Ukrainian regions into Russia involve ongoing advances in the east, threatening strategically important cities like Pokrovsk.
Putin characterized the fighting as complex, stating that predicting future developments is difficult but that Russian forces are making progress towards their initial objectives.
Regarding Ukrainian forces’ presence in certain areas, Putin affirmed their eventual removal but refrained from specifying a timeline.
The war’s impact on the Russian economy has led to signs of overheating and high inflation, though Putin highlighted higher growth rates compared to other economies, such as Britain.
Reflecting on the conflict, Putin expressed that he should have acted sooner and that Russia should have been better prepared.
Responding to a BBC reporter’s question about his stewardship of Russia, Putin stated he had fulfilled his responsibilities, claiming Russia had averted a major crisis. He stated, “We have moved back from the edge of the abyss,” and further asserted, “I have done everything to ensure that Russia is an independent and sovereign power that is able to make decisions in its own interests.”
Putin mentioned discussions with Syria’s new leadership regarding Russian military bases there, indicating that most consulted favored their continued presence. He acknowledged the need to consider their future but downplayed rumors about the death of a certain individual.
Putin highlighted the “Oreshnik” hypersonic missile’s capabilities, suggesting another test launch at a Ukrainian military facility to assess Western air defense systems.
In Brussels, Zelenskyy responded to Putin’s missile suggestion during a press conference, questioning Putin’s sanity.