Title: President Putin Confident in Russia’s Ultimate Victory over Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently held a four-hour press conference and call-in program, where he expressed his unwavering confidence in Russia’s ultimate victory over Ukraine. This marked the first time Putin has taken extended questions since the invasion in February 2022.
During the press conference, Putin insisted that Russia would continue the war until Kyiv either agreed to Russian demands of neutrality or faced defeat on the battlefield. His performance reflected Russia’s growing confidence in the war effort, citing Kyiv’s recent stalled counteroffensive and waning political support from the United States.
Putin proudly announced that over 600,000 Russian soldiers were currently serving in the war zone and assured the public that another wave of mobilization was unnecessary. He vowed that peace would only come after Ukraine was fully “denazified” and “demilitarized.”
The Russian President also commented on the ongoing talks with the US regarding American prisoners, highlighting that difficult negotiations were ongoing, and a suitable deal had not yet been reached. These comments coincided with a Moscow court’s decision to uphold the pre-trial detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich until at least January 30, 2024.
Furthermore, Putin spoke about Russia’s wartime economy, projecting a 3.5% growth despite facing Western sanctions. This demonstrates the strength of the Russian economy and its resilience during the conflict.
Interestingly, the press conference also had elements of a campaign event, as Putin stuck to familiar themes and engaged in retail politics by answering questions from the Russian public. Russians submitted videos pleading with Putin to address issues such as lack of heating, infrastructure decay, and inflation. However, despite some uncomfortable text messages flashing on a screen, Putin made no indication that he saw them.
Overall, Putin’s press conference highlighted Russia’s steadfast determination to achieve victory in the war with Ukraine. With growing confidence in the war effort, Putin projected a sense of assurance to his country and the world, suggesting that peace would only come after Russia’s demands were met and Ukraine underwent significant transformations.
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