Russian President Vladimir Putin Holds Marathon Press Conference
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at a marathon press conference on December 19 that lasted over four hours. During the event, he was asked about the ongoing war in Ukraine and what he would have done differently if given the chance to go back in time.
Putin said that Russia should have started preparing for the conflict earlier. He stated that knowing what is happening now, he would have thought that a decision to begin the special military operation before February 2022 was necessary. This month marks when Russia launched its all-out war against Ukraine.
The Kremlin leader also addressed questions about benefits for soldiers involved in the conflict. This issue has become a significant point of concern in Russia due to growing anxiety over mounting casualties and reasons many Russians continue to enlist. A joint investigation by the BBC and Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, found that over 83,000 Russian troops were killed in the war.
Putin expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with US President-elect Donald Trump at any time to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. However, he reiterated Moscow’s demands for a peace agreement, which include rejecting territorial concessions and opposing Ukraine’s NATO membership.
When asked if he had learned anything about himself during the war, Putin said that Russia has become stronger over the past two or three years. He stated that this is because Russia is becoming a truly sovereign country and is able to stand on its own feet economically.
Despite almost three years of ongoing war and Western sanctions affecting Russia’s economy, Putin attempted to reassure the Russian public. He claimed that Russia was winning the war and that the economy was stable and even growing. However, he acknowledged that an inflation rate of 9.3 percent, as reported by the Central Bank chief, is a serious concern.
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