Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his willingness to hold discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump during his annual year-end press conference on Thursday. However, Putin noted that he has not spoken to Trump in over four years and remains uncertain about the timing of any potential meeting.
“I am ready for a meeting anytime if he wants it,” Putin stated in response to a question from NBC’s Kier Simmons. His comments came amid growing speculation that the incoming U.S. administration might push for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine, now approaching its third year.
Ukraine War and Kursk Region
During the marathon Q&A session, Putin declined to specify when Russian forces would retake Ukraine’s southern Kursk region, which has seen intense fighting since a Ukrainian incursion in August. While promising that Russian forces would ultimately prevail, Putin criticized Kyiv’s military strategy, calling it “senseless.”
“There is no military logic in the Ukrainian Armed Forces holding onto the Kursk region. They are sacrificing their best units,” he said. “But we will push them out. There is no other way.”
Putin emphasized that Russian troops are making daily advances along the entire frontline, claiming that gains are measured in square kilometers rather than meters. He portrayed Russia as increasingly sovereign and resilient, rejecting suggestions that it is in a weakened position due to setbacks in the Middle East or Ukraine.
Rebuilding and Humanitarian Concerns
Acknowledging the hardships faced by residents of the Kursk region, Putin pledged to restore housing and infrastructure damaged by the conflict. “We will do everything necessary to ensure that people’s lives return to normal,” he said, while expressing sympathy for the heavy losses and disruptions endured by civilians.
Condemnation of Ukrainian ‘Terrorist Acts’
Putin also addressed the recent assassination of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s nuclear, biological, and chemical protection forces, in Moscow. He labeled the killing as a “terrorist act” orchestrated by Ukraine, accusing the Kyiv regime of repeatedly targeting Russian citizens with similar attacks.
“The murder endangered many lives and was clearly a terrorist crime,” Putin said, doubling down on accusations of Ukrainian aggression against Russia.
Broader Implications of the War
The war in Ukraine has become a grueling conflict, with both sides locked in a costly battle of attrition. Ukrainian forces initially repelled Russian attempts to seize Kyiv but have since faced challenges in reclaiming occupied territories. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently admitted that his country currently lacks the strength to regain all its lost territory.
The conflict has also seen international dimensions, with reports of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region. Kyiv claims these foreign troops have suffered significant losses, though Putin avoided commenting on their involvement during the conference.
Relations with the United States
Putin’s remarks on Trump underscored a cautious optimism about potential U.S.-Russia dialogue under the new administration. However, the Russian leader dismissed questions suggesting his position might be weakened in any future negotiations, asserting that Russia’s geopolitical strength has grown in recent years.
While Trump has denied having multiple conversations with Putin since leaving office, journalist Bob Woodward reported in a recent book that the two leaders may have held as many as seven discussions since 2021.
A Display of Control
The year-end press conference, a hallmark of Putin’s governance, featured a mix of public Q&A and phone-in sessions, designed to showcase his control over Russia’s political and military apparatus. The event highlighted key domestic and international challenges while reinforcing Putin’s narrative of strength and resilience amid ongoing conflict.
