Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that peace in Ukraine is contingent on achieving Kremlin’s goals, which he asserted remain unchanged after nearly two years of conflict.
During a lengthy year-end news conference, Putin downplayed the need for a second wave of mobilization and emphasized Russian military gains in Ukraine.
He criticized Ukraine’s leadership, calling them “stupid and irresponsible,” and maintained Moscow’s objectives of “de-Nazification, de-militarization, and a neutral status” for Ukraine.
Putin’s remarks also touched on strained U.S.-Russia relations, the detention of journalists, and upcoming elections, presenting a spectacle primarily aimed at a domestic audience.
