His feedback come as Ukraine faces more and more difficulties at the entrance line and braces for the go back to energy by means of Trump, who has in the past vowed to finish the battle in in the future. Kyiv, on the other hand, doesn’t believe Putin’s purported openness to compromise for the reason that he has fueled a decade-long battle with Ukraine, through which Russia has ravaged towns and folks around the nation.
In the meantime, Ecu capitals are discussing the contours of a conceivable peace deal and long-term safety promises for Kyiv, with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assembly with NATO leader Mark Rutte and several other EU leaders to speak about long term preparations in Brussels on Wednesday.
Putin, who sounded bullish on Russia’s army positive factors in Ukraine right through his marathon press convention, mentioned Moscow has “at all times mentioned that we’re able for compromises and negotiations,” however that “the opposite facet must be able” as neatly.
The longtime Russian chief mentioned Moscow does now not desire a long-term cease-fire settlement however slightly a “sturdy peace secured with promises for the Russian Federation and its voters.”
Putin additionally claimed, with out offering proof, that Hungary’s pro-Russian chief Viktor Orbán had prompt agreeing a truce at the battle over Christmas and a prisoner alternate — an concept he mentioned Ukraine had refused.
On the similar time, Putin insisted the Russian economic system was once “solid” whilst acknowledging that emerging costs had been an “alarming sign.” In contemporary months, the ruble has tumbled because of low oil costs and Western sanctions, whilst Moscow’s central financial institution has hiked rates of interest to rein in surging inflation.
