Russian President Vladimir Putin said he is ready to compromise with the US on ending the war in Ukraine, dismissing any notion that Russia is in a weak position. Trump has vowed to swiftly end the conflict, but details remain unclear.
Putin stated he had not spoken to Trump in years and was willing to meet him. He rejected an assertion of weakness, citing Russia’s strengthening since 2022 when troops were deployed into Ukraine. Putin emphasized the need for negotiations and compromises, adding that Ukrainian forces will be forced out from Russia’s Kursk region.
The war has transformed the Russian economy, with inflation on the rise, but growth higher than many other economies. Asked if he’d do anything differently, Putin said he should have sent troops into Ukraine sooner. He touted Russia’s military capabilities, including the “Oreshnik” hypersonic missile.
Putin reiterated that any deal could only be signed with Ukraine’s legitimate authorities, not Zelenskiy, who has delayed an election due to the war. The Russian president dismissed a temporary truce idea and instead sought a long-lasting peace deal.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine left tens of thousands dead, displaced millions, and strained relations between Moscow and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-says-russia-is-getting-closer-achieving-primary-goals-ukraine-2024-12-19