During a televised press conference held in Moscow on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that Russia would abstain from initiating new military actions against other countries, as long as Russia is treated “with respect.”
Putin’s statements came amid ongoing apprehensions in Europe about Russia’s potential threat to regional security, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
“Will there be new special military operations? There will be no operations if you treat us with respect and acknowledge our interests, just as we have consistently attempted to recognize yours,” Putin declared.
Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the audience during his annual news conference and call-in show at Gostiny Dvor in Moscow on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
The term “special military operation” is Putin’s preferred terminology for Russia’s actions in Ukraine, as noted by AFP.
Furthermore, he emphasized that there would be no additional Russian invasions “if you don’t deceive us, as you did with NATO’s eastward expansion,” according to the BBC.
The Russian leader also claimed he was “ready and willing” to end the war in Ukraine “peacefully,” though he offered few details suggesting a willingness to compromise, the BBC reported.
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to a reporter’s question during his annual news conference and call-in show at Gostiny Dvor in Moscow Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The yearly news conference, which typically runs at least four hours, features questions from reporters and members of the public across Russia.
More than 2.5 million questions were submitted for this year’s event, which focused heavily on the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported.
Putin also noted during the event that the nation’s “troops are advancing” and expressed confidence that Russia will accomplish its objectives through military means if Ukraine does not assent to Russia’s terms during peace talks, according to The Associated Press.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, thanks a group of volunteers who worked to prepare his call-in show at Gostiny Dvor in Moscow Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
“Our troops are advancing all across the line of contact, faster in some areas or slower in some others, but the enemy is retreating in all sectors,” Putin declared.
As the war drags on, the European Union has just agreed to provide Ukraine with a loan of over $105 billion.
