Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation Friday in his annual press conference, held as tensions escalate between Moscow and Western capitals. The extensive broadcast was displayed on giant screens across Russia, spanning twelve time zones.
During the conference, Putin fielded questions from journalists and received direct calls from ordinary citizens across Russia via a live telephone line. The Kremlin reported that Putin received approximately 3 million questions from the public.
Ukraine Dominates the Agenda
Ahead of the event, many citizens expressed hope for an end to the conflict in Ukraine, but on Moscow’s terms. Lilia Reshetnyak, an accountant, stated, “I have loved ones fighting in Donbas (eastern Ukraine), and I don’t want us to give up positions there. This is the only thing that worries me.” She also expressed interest in raising uncomfortable questions about conditions in Russian-controlled territories in Ukraine, such as water scarcity.
Putin asserted that Moscow would seize the remaining territories of eastern Ukraine by force if diplomatic efforts fail. “Our forces are advancing along the entire line of contact… and the enemy is retreating in all directions,” Putin stated. “I am convinced that we will see more successes before the end of the year.”
Moscow controls large swaths of eastern Ukraine and demands Kyiv cede more territory as a condition for ending the conflict. Russia has been making rapid gains on the ground since the summer, particularly in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.
Warning to the West
Putin accused the West of “deceit” by continuing to expand NATO, vowing that Russia would not attack other countries “if you treat us with respect and take our interests into account.”
The conference comes as the European Union struggles to assist Kyiv in avoiding an agreement pushed by the United States.
