During a year-end news conference, Putin declares that he is "ready" for possible negotiations with Trump.
Putin also refused to specify when Russian forces will reclaim the southern Kursk region from Ukraine at the protracted year-end news conference, stating that they were making progress "along the entire frontline."
The event in Moscow on Thursday includes a public phone-in and a Q&A session, which Putin does every year to demonstrate his total power over the nation.
In answer to a query from NBC's Kier Simmons, Putin stated, "You asked what we can offer, or what I can offer to the newly elected President Trump when we meet." First of all, I'm not sure when we'll get together. due to the fact that he hasn't mentioned it. It's been more than four years since I last spoke to him. Naturally, I am prepared for this at any moment, and if he desires a meeting, I will be prepared as well.
Putin responded, "You stated that this discussion will occur in a circumstance where I am in a state of weakness," when asked if Russia would be in a weaker bargaining position as a result of recent failures in the Middle East and on the battlefield in Ukraine. Additionally, you and the Americans who fund your salaries would greatly prefer that Russia be in a weaker position.
I hold to a different viewpoint. Over the last two or three years, Russia has, in my opinion, grown significantly stronger. Why? We are already barely reliant on anyone since we are developing into a genuinely independent nation.
In a recent book, veteran journalist Bob Woodward said that Trump and Putin had spoken "perhaps as many as seven" times since 2021. Trump has denied having numerous discussions with Putin after leaving office.
In response to a question concerning Russia's southern Kursk, where Kyiv's forces are battling to save communities after an unexpected invasion in August, Putin said that Russia would retake the entire area eventually.
"I am unable to provide a precise date for the expulsion of [the Ukrainian Armed Forces] from the Kursk region," he stated.
"There are serious battles going on right now, and our guys are fighting." It is unclear why the Ukrainian Armed Forces entered the Kursk region and are still there, deploying their finest soldiers there to be massacred, without any military rationale. Nevertheless, it is taking place.
"There is no other way, so we will definitely push them out," he continued.
In response to a question on how Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – which in Russia is referred to euphemistically as the “special military operation” – was going, Putin said the “situation is changing dramatically,” as the war approaches its third year.
“Movement is going on along the entire front line, every day.”
He continued: “And as I already said, we are not talking about advancing 100-200-300 meters. Our fighters are taking and returning territory in square kilometers. I want to emphasize - every day.”
His answer comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged in an interview published Wednesday that Ukraine lacks the strength to take back all its territory occupied by Russia.
Although they are still there, Ukrainian soldiers have gradually given way to Russian forces in the Kursk region. According to Kyiv, North Korean forces fighting with Russian forces there have sustained significant casualties.
In his response to the caller, Putin made no mention of North Korean troops but pledged to rebuild any infrastructure and homes that had been damaged or destroyed during the conflict.
The Russian leader remarked, "I realise that nothing good is happening to you." People are dealing with significant losses, adversity, and everyday annoyances, particularly those involving children. But don't worry, we'll do all the required action. Everything will be restored by us.
During the meeting, Putin also denounced what he called a "terrorist act" by Ukraine in the Tuesday morning murder of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of Russia's nuclear, biological, and chemical defence forces, in Moscow.
Regarding the killing of General Kirillov... Putin responded to NBC's Simmons by saying, "You just said—an assassination attempt."
You have my gratitude for that. because you acknowledged this was a terrorist act in a roundabout way. Why? because the manner in which this murder was carried out endangered the lives of other people. several Russian Federation residents have been the victims of terrorist attacks and other crimes committed by the Kyiv administration on several occasions.
Ukraine wanted the Russian commander because he used chemical weapons. Britain will not mourn Kirillov, who was slain together with an aide, according to the office of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Putin asserted without proof that Ukrainian military had targeted civilians in the Kursk area of Russia, saying, "We have never heard from the Western journalistic corps condemnation of such terrorist attacks." "But at least you remembered this, and for that I am thankful."
Putin responded to Simmons once again by saying he would ask where Austin Tice, the American journalist who went missing in Syria, was.
In reference to the Syrian autocrat who fled to Russia when his dictatorship fell, Putin stated, "I haven't met with President [Bashar al-]Assad since his arrival in Moscow, but I plan to do so, I will definitely talk to him."
Putin seems to question Assad's ability to explain Tice.
"But I understand that you and I are adults, don't we?" Putin stated. "A man went missing in Syria twelve years ago! We are aware of the circumstances twelve years ago, when both sides were actively engaged in combat.
Is President Assad aware of what transpired with this American citizen and journalist who was reporting from a conflict zone? Nevertheless, I swear that I will pose this query to those in charge of the current Syrian crisis.
In addition to giving the Kremlin leader a stage on which to present his key talking points and discuss both local and foreign topics, the yearly event enables media and citizens the chance to ask the Russian president direct questions, offering insight into his opinions on important issues. In the past, the marathon sessions have extended for far over four hours.
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