Russian President Vladimir Putin has addressed the nation ahead of New Year’s, pushing back against concerns that the country is weakened by its involvement in Ukraine and Syria. Addressing his annual news conference, Putin stated that Russia remains a powerful force globally. However, his comments have been met with skepticism from some who point to soaring prices, war fatigue, and economic strain as indicators of weakness. In addition to denying any signs of weakening, Putin signaled an openness to meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the coming months.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/19/putin-news-conference-trump-tice-china