Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his willingness to meet with United States President-elect, Donald Trump, to discuss a potential peace deal to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Speaking at his annual end-of-year press conference on Thursday, Putin stated that he was ready to meet Trump “at any time” to talk about resolving the conflict that has been tearing Ukraine apart for nearly two years.
Putin’s remarks come as Trump, who is set to take office in January, has claimed he can broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine in a matter of hours. However, this has raised alarm in Kyiv, as there are fears that Trump’s proposed deal could pressure Ukraine into accepting terms that may not be in their best interests.
During the press conference, Putin maintained that Russian troops have the upper hand in the conflict and insisted that his only regret was not starting the military offensive earlier. He highlighted the success of Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, although he stopped short of providing a clear timeline for reclaiming the western Kursk region, which has been infiltrated by Ukrainian forces since August.
“I don’t know when I’m going to see him [Trump]. He isn’t saying anything about it. I haven’t talked to him in more than four years. I am ready for it, of course. Any time,” Putin said, referring to the possibility of a meeting with Trump.
Putin seemed optimistic about the chances of a peaceful resolution to the war, stating that Russia was open to “negotiations and compromises.”
“If we ever have a meeting with President-elect Trump, I am sure we’ll have a lot to talk about,” Putin added.
In his speech, Putin also commented on the difficulties facing Russia due to the war. Economic challenges have emerged as a major concern, with the Russian economy grappling with inflation and the impact of Western sanctions. Although Putin downplayed the significance of sanctions, he acknowledged their role in exacerbating economic problems.
“Inflation is a worrying signal,” Putin admitted, noting that price hikes in basic goods such as butter and meat have been “unpleasant” for Russian citizens. Despite this, he maintained that Russia’s economic situation remained “stable” thanks to low unemployment and industrial growth. He also expressed hope that the Russian central bank would take a “balanced” approach in dealing with inflation, as it prepared to raise interest rates to cool the economy.
However, Putin was quick to reject suggestions that Russia’s economic woes could be tied directly to the costs of the war, which have seen massive increases in military spending.
Russia’s progress on the battlefield has been a key focus for Putin, who confidently asserted that Russian troops were advancing in eastern Ukraine. Yet, he faced uncomfortable questions regarding the lives of civilians who have been affected by the conflict. When asked about the residents of the Kursk region, Putin said that he could not give a definitive answer on when they would be able to return to their homes.
“We will kick them out. Absolutely. It can’t be any other way. But the question of a specific date, I’m sorry, I cannot say right now,” Putin said, addressing the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing conflict.
Despite Russia’s military dominance, the conflict has taken a toll on both sides, with tens of thousands of lives lost and widespread devastation. Putin, who has been in power for over two decades, was also pressed on the issue of Russia’s security. He condemned the recent killing of General Igor Kirillov, one of the highest-ranking Russian military officials, in a bomb attack blamed on Kyiv. Putin labelled the assassination as “terrorism” and demanded stronger measures to protect high-ranking officials.
“We must not allow such very serious blunders to happen,” Putin said, criticising Russia’s intelligence agencies for failing to prevent the attack.
One of the more alarming aspects of Putin’s press conference was his repeated mention of Russia’s new hypersonic missile, Oreshnik, which he claimed could strike Kyiv with precision. Putin suggested that the missile’s effectiveness could be tested in a “hi-tech duel” between Russia and the West.
“Let them set some target to be hit, let’s say in Kyiv. They will concentrate there all their air defences. And we will launch an Oreshnik strike there and see what happens,” he proposed, raising the stakes in the already tense conflict.
The Russian leader was also questioned about his actions in February 2022 when he ordered the invasion of Ukraine. Reflecting on the early stages of the conflict, Putin admitted that if he could go back in time, he would have launched the military operation even earlier.
“Knowing what is happening now, I would think that such a decision… should have been taken earlier,” Putin said. He reiterated that Russia’s military actions were a result of careful planning and that the country had long been preparing for what it now refers to as the “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Putin’s comments have raised concerns globally, especially in Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has resisted any peace deal that would compromise Ukrainian sovereignty or territorial integrity.
As Putin remains firm on Russia’s military objectives, the international community is left to grapple with the potential consequences of Trump’s rise to power and his potential influence on the war. While Trump has made clear his desire for peace, it remains to be seen whether his approach will align with Ukraine’s interests or risk further escalating tensions between the West and Russia.
