Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared confident this Thursday, December 14 in the morning during a television program in front of journalists – an exercise he had renounced last year. Asked about the assaults carried out by the Russian army since the end of the abortive Ukrainian counter-offensive, the Russian president showed his satisfaction. “Practically along the entire length of the line of contact, our armed forces are improving their positions,” he said.
“Denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine”
After almost two years of deadly conflict, he has clearly explained that his objectives are unchanged: to oust the current power, which he describes as Nazi, and to destroy the military capabilities of his pro-Western neighbor to impose neutrality on it. “I remind you what we talked about: the denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine, its neutral status,” he said, adding that the solution “will be negotiated or obtained by force.”
Vladimir Putin also assured that a new military mobilization in Russia was not planned for the moment, after that of autumn 2022. “Today, this is not necessary”, he judged, emphasizing that 486,000 soldiers were recruited voluntarily this year. He insisted that the solution “will be negotiated or obtained by force”. “There will be peace when we have achieved our objectives,” the Russian president insisted.
An “agreement with the United States” for Russian detainees
Also during this giant press conference organized by the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin said he “hoped” for an agreement with the United States on Americans detained in Russia, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan. “We want to reach an agreement. And these agreements must be mutually acceptable and agreeable to both parties.” “We are in contact with our American partners on this subject. […] It’s not easy, but overall I think we understand each other. I hope we find a solution,” he added.
“Strong consolidation of Russian society”
Asked about the economy’s resistance to sanctions, he was just as confident. His country has a “sufficient margin of security” due to the “strong consolidation of Russian society”, the “stability of the country’s financial and economic system” and the “increase in military capabilities” of Moscow. This margin is “enough not only to feel confident, but also to move forward,” assured the Russian president, who recently announced his intention to run for a new term in March 2024 which could make him stay in the Kremlin at least until 2030.
Despite everything, he recognized that inflation remained high in Russia: it is expected at 7.5-8% at the end of the year. A source of concern among the population, but Vladimir Putin promised that the Central Bank would take appropriate measures to curb it. The Russian president said he expected GDP growth of 3.5% this year. “This means that we have caught up and that we have taken a big step forward,” he assured.
The war in Gaza, “a catastrophe”
President Vladimir Putin also described the situation in the Gaza Strip, shelled by the Israeli army as part of its offensive against Hamas, as “catastrophic”, saying that it could not be compared to that in Ukraine. “What is happening is a catastrophe,” he said. “Look at the special military operation (in Ukraine) and look at what is happening in Gaza and see the difference. There is nothing like that in Ukraine,” assured the Russian president.
During a virtual speech to the G20 at the end of November, Putin had already considered that any war was a “tragedy” but accused the West of showing selective indignation, questioning them on the “extermination of civilians in Palestine”.