Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first major news conference since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, emphasized that peace with Ukraine would only occur “when we achieve our objectives.” The annual “direct line” phone-in event, combined with an audience of journalists, provided insights into the ongoing military operations and broader geopolitical issues.
Putin addressed the importance of Russian sovereignty, stating, “The existence of our country without sovereignty is impossible. It will simply not exist.” The discussion swiftly shifted to the “special military operation in Ukraine,” with Putin outlining the nation’s robust economy during wartime.
The Russian president reiterated his longstanding objectives for peace in Ukraine, emphasizing “denazification, demilitarization, and its neutral status.” He disclosed that 617,000 Russian troops were currently engaged in Ukraine, including both conscripts and voluntary contract soldiers. While Putin did not provide specific military losses, he acknowledged casualties among those “close” to him.
A classified US intelligence report estimated that 315,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded since the war began, representing nearly 90% of Russia’s military personnel at the invasion’s onset. Putin downplayed Ukraine’s recent military successes, describing them as a last-ditch effort to break through to Crimea.
As questions unfolded, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned that if Putin succeeded in Ukraine, there was a real risk that Russian aggression would not end there. Putin asserted that Russian forces had the upper hand across the front line in Ukraine, despite Western sanctions and political isolation.
Putin addressed Russian relations with the United States and the EU, describing the US as an important country but accusing it of imperialism. When asked about the release of two American citizens held in Russian jails, Putin indicated ongoing dialogue and expressed hope for a mutually acceptable solution.
The annual event, which did not take place last year, provided a platform for spontaneous questions from journalists and pre-vetted inquiries submitted by ordinary Russians, numbering around two million. Source: BBC
