Putin Open to Discuss Ukraine Deal With Trump Amid Military Updates
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared he is prepared to meet U.S. President-elect Donald Trump "any time" to go over a possible peace deal in Ukraine. Speaking during his customary end-of-year press conference, Putin voiced remorse over not starting Russia's full-scale offensive in Ukraine earlier. He underlined once more that, despite continuous difficulties in some areas, Russian soldiers now have the upper hand on the battlefield. As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited EU leaders in Brussels, Kyiv reported that Russian strikes on northeastern Ukraine had claimed three lives.
Putin, 72, spoke on economic issues related to the conflict, including growing inflation and labor shortages brought on by military expenditure. He said inflation "a worrying signal" since food prices for basics like butter and meat were rising. Still, he claimed that Russia's economy is steady, pointing up low unemployment and industrial expansion. Putin asserted on the battlefield that Russia has been advancing in eastern Ukraine for months but could not confirm when displaced Kursk region residents will be allowed to return home following Ukrainian counterattacks. Putin declared, "We will absolutely kick them out," although he acknowledged he was not able to offer a precise schedule.
Reiterating Russia's readiness for a "hi-tech duel" with the West, the Russian leader also answered Trump's recent appeals for negotiations, indicating openness to compromise. Regarding Russia's hypersonic missile capacity, Putin said he would target Kyiv's air defenses to test the rocket's might. Declaring, "People are dying, and he thinks it's 'interesting,'" Ukrainian President Zelensky denounced the comments as callous. Putin doubled down on his choice on the 2022 invasion, showing sorrow just for not acting sooner. He remarked, "Knowing what is happening now, I would think such a decision should have been taken earlier."
