Vladimir Putin Believes It Is Up to Ukraine and Its Allies to End Hostilities

After praising the progress of the Russian army on the Ukrainian front and denying any responsibility in this conflict, which will soon enter its fifth year, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday, December 19, that "the ball is in the court" of Ukraine and its European supporters to negotiate an end to the war.

The Kremlin leader devoted significant time during his annual major press conference, broadcast live on television, to discussing the offensive in Ukraine, launched in February 2022.

He first praised the territorial gains made in eastern Ukraine by Russian forces, asserting that they "are advancing along the entire contact line" and that the Ukrainians "are retreating in all directions." "I am confident that before the end of this year, we will witness new successes," he added during the event, which combines a press conference and responses to public questions.

Russian troops accelerated their conquests on the Ukrainian front this year, currently controlling about 19% of the territory.

When asked by an American journalist about his personal responsibility in the bloodiest conflict on European soil since the end of World War II, Vladimir Putin replied: "We do not consider ourselves responsible for the deaths of people because we did not start this war." He again attributed its outbreak to the Ukrainian authorities.

The head of state considered that it is now up to Kyiv and its European allies to agree to end the hostilities, with Moscow having already made "compromises" during talks with the Americans.

The United States has been intensifying diplomatic negotiations for several weeks to prepare a plan for Ukraine, currently being discussed with Kyiv's envoys. This plan involves territorial concessions as well as security guarantees for Ukraine.

When asked if there would be "new special military operations"—the name Russia gives to its intervention in Ukraine—Vladimir Putin emphasized: "There will be no operation if you treat us with respect and respect our interests."

The Russian president also warned Europeans of "very serious consequences" if frozen Russian assets are seized to aid Ukraine, mentioning retaliatory measures and legal actions.

On Thursday, Europeans failed to agree on the use of Russian assets, instead deciding to take out a joint loan of 90 billion euros to finance Kyiv.

Vladimir Putin, 73 years old and in power for a quarter of a century, is experienced in this media exercise. In the crowded room, journalists from all regions of Russia were present, some in traditional clothing and headdresses, as well as foreign media, AFP observed. The Russian head of state addresses a wide range of topics on this occasion, from geopolitics and the economy to the concrete concerns of the population and local issues.

The conflict in Ukraine remains a major concern for Russians, as does the economic and social situation, according to the independent Levada Institute.

While the Russian economy has so far resisted restrictions targeting notably its hydrocarbon exports, the difficulties it faces are expressed through labor shortages, prohibitively high bank credit costs, and rising prices. After two years of growth driven by the war effort, it shows signs of slowing: the central bank forecasts GDP growth between 0.5% and 1% for 2025, compared to 4.3% in 2024 and 4.1% in 2023.

In this context of slowdown, the institution lowered its key interest rate on Friday from 16.5% to 16%, maintaining its target to reduce inflation to 4%, compared to 6.6% recorded in November year-on-year.

This conference is also an opportunity for Vladimir Putin to hear a plethora of local grievances from the population across the regions of the world's largest country. He is accustomed to shaping his image by promising to solve individual problems, reprimanding regional officials, and sometimes sharing personal life anecdotes.

More than 2.5 million questions were submitted to the president, sorted with the help of artificial intelligence, according to the Kremlin.

On Friday, Vladimir Putin answered questions not only about Ukraine but also about tax pressure, administrative delays, and the opening up of isolated regions.

He promised to discuss trade taxes with the government after a baker's complaint, refused any price regulation, and even spoke about a comet passing near Earth, joking that it was a "secret weapon" of Russia.

This program, in various forms, has been organized almost every year since 2001. In 2022, it did not take place, as the Russian army had just suffered significant setbacks in Ukraine.