By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, Related Press
He used the tightly choreographed occasion, which lasted for about 4 1/2 hours, to strengthen his authority and display a sweeping command of every part from shopper costs to navy {hardware}.
He claimed that sending troops into Ukraine in 2022 has boosted Russia’s navy and financial energy. He additionally stated that if he may return in time, he “would have thought that such a decision should have been made earlier,” and Russia ought to have “prepared for it in advance and more thoroughly.”
“Russia has become much stronger over the past two or three years because it has become a truly sovereign country,” he stated. “We are standing firm in terms of economy, we are strengthening our defense potential and our military capability now is the strongest in the world.”
Putin, who has held energy for practically a quarter-century and commenced one other six-year time period earlier this 12 months, stated the navy was “advancing toward achieving our goals” in what he calls the particular navy operation in Ukraine.
In response to a query a few new hypersonic ballistic missile that Russia used for the primary time final month to strike Ukraine, Putin scoffed at claims by some Western specialists that it could possibly be intercepted by NATO’s air defenses.
He mockingly challenged Ukraine’s allies to a “high-tech duel,” suggesting that Moscow may give advance discover of a strike on Kyiv with the Oreshnik missile and see if the West may shield town.
“Let them select a target, possibly in Kyiv, put their air defense assets there and we shall strike it with the Oreshnik,” he stated with a dry smile. “Let’s see what happens.”
Putin calls common’s killing a safety ‘blunder’
Russia is making regular, if sluggish, advances in Ukraine, however has additionally suffered embarrassing setbacks. On Tuesday, Lt. Gen Igor Kirillov was killed by a bomb planted exterior his house constructing in Moscow — a brazen assassination claimed by Ukraine that introduced the battle as soon as once more to the streets of the Russian capital.
Putin described Kirillov’s killing as a “major blunder” of Russia’s safety businesses, noting they need to be taught from it and enhance their effectivity.
Moscow’s troops are additionally battling Ukrainian forces within the Russian area of Kursk, the place they’ve launched an incursion. Requested after they would drive the Ukrainians out, Putin stated “we will certainly kick them out” however wouldn’t say how lengthy it will take.
The present, which is broadcast stay by state-controlled TV throughout Russia’s 11 time zones, often is dominated by home points, with journalists and unusual residents calling in to ask about hovering shopper costs and mortgages, paltry pensions and lack of docs. However the Russian chief is especially watched for his solutions on overseas affairs.
Males maintain a reproduction of the banner of the a hundred and fifty fifth Marine Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, collaborating in a particular navy operation in Ukraine throughout Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual information convention and call-in present at Gostinny Dvor in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photograph/Alexander Zemlianichenko)Open to talks on Ukraine however reiterates Russia’s calls for
Putin stated he was open to potential talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to barter a deal to finish the battle in Ukraine.
“If we meet with Mr. Trump, we will have things to discuss,” he stated, with out elaborating.
Putin stated Russia is open for compromise in potential peace talks on Ukraine.
“Politics is the art of compromise,” he stated. “We have always said that we are ready for both talks and compromises.” On the identical time, Putin added that the talks ought to be primarily based on “the situation on the ground” referring to among the situations he beforehand laid out.
Putin has beforehand demanded that Ukraine surrender its bid to affix NATO and acknowledge Russia’s positive aspects. Kyiv and the West have rejected these calls for.
Putin says he’ll ask Assad about lacking American
In his first feedback on Assad’s downfall, Putin stated that he hadn’t but met the previous Syrian ruler, whom he has given asylum in Moscow, however plans to. He stated he’ll ask him about Austin Tice, an American journalist who vanished in Syria 12 years in the past.
“We also can pose the question to people who control the situation on the ground in Syria,” Putin stated, responding to a query from NBC’s Keir Simmons, who cited a letter he stated Tice’s mom wrote to the Russian chief looking for help.
Moscow has sought to ascertain contacts with the rebels who ousted Assad to safe its diplomatic and navy personnel within the nation and attempt to lengthen the lease on its air and naval bases within the nation.
“If we stay there, we will need to do something in the interests of the host country,” he stated, including that Moscow supplied to make use of its Hemeimeen air base and a naval base in Tartus for humanitarian help deliveries. “What those interests could be, what could we do for them is an issue to be thoroughly examined by both parties.”
Nevertheless it’s unclear how a lot affect Russia could have in Syria. Assad’s fall has dealt it a painful blow since Russia has fought for 9 years to prop him up within the nation’s civil conflict.
Nonetheless, Putin denied the occasions had weakened Moscow, arguing it achieved its objective of destroying “terrorist” teams in Syria by way of an air marketing campaign launched in help of Assad in 2015. He claimed that insurgent teams that had been preventing Assad have modified and the West is able to set up ties with them.
“That means that our goals have been achieved,” Putin stated.
He described Israel because the “main beneficiary” of Assad’s downfall, noting the deployment of Israeli troops in southern Syria. He voiced hope that Israel will ultimately withdraw these forces however famous it’s nonetheless constructing them up.
He famous the Syrian military supplied little resistance to the opposition offensive and stated Russia flew 4,000 Iranian troops from its Hemeimeem air base to Tehran.
Putin started the session by saying that Russia’s economic system is on observe to develop by practically 4% this 12 months. He acknowledged that shopper costs are excessive, with inflation at 9.3%, however insisted that the financial state of affairs stays “stable.”
Putin declines to criticize Biden over pardon of his son
Putin dodged a query about abortion and pornography in Russia, in addition to burying the physique of Soviet Union founder Vladmir Lenin, which has been displayed in a mausoleum on Purple Sq. for practically a century.
Requested about President Joe Biden’s resolution to pardon his son, Hunter, to spare him a potential jail sentence for felony gun and tax convictions, Putin stated he wouldn’t criticize the U.S. chief.
“As for Biden, he’s a politician, and it’s always important which side prevails: political or human,” he stated. “It turned out that there was more human in Biden. I wouldn’t condemn him for this.”
Russian state media reported that unusual residents submitted greater than 2 million questions forward of the present.
Initially Printed: December 19, 2024 at 9:36 AM EST
