His feedback come as Ukraine faces more and more difficulties on the entrance line and braces for the return to energy by Trump, who has beforehand vowed to finish the battle in someday. Kyiv, nonetheless, doesn’t belief Putin’s purported openness to compromise on condition that he has fueled a decade-long battle with Ukraine, wherein Russia has ravaged cities and other people throughout the nation.
In the meantime, European capitals are discussing the contours of a potential peace deal and long-term safety ensures for Kyiv, with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assembly with NATO chief Mark Rutte and a number of other EU leaders to debate future preparations in Brussels on Wednesday.
Putin, who sounded bullish on Russia’s navy features in Ukraine throughout his marathon press convention, mentioned Moscow has “all the time mentioned that we’re prepared for compromises and negotiations,” however that “the opposite aspect must be prepared” as nicely.
The longtime Russian chief mentioned Moscow doesn’t desire a long-term cease-fire settlement however reasonably a “sturdy peace secured with ensures for the Russian Federation and its residents.”
Putin additionally claimed, with out offering proof, that Hungary’s pro-Russian chief Viktor Orbán had prompt agreeing a truce on the battle over Christmas and a prisoner trade — an thought he mentioned Ukraine had refused.
On the similar time, Putin insisted the Russian financial system was “secure” whereas acknowledging that rising costs had been an “alarming sign.” In current months, the ruble has tumbled attributable to low oil costs and Western sanctions, whereas Moscow’s central financial institution has hiked rates of interest to rein in surging inflation.
