“Russia Is Self-Assured, Capable of Progressing”: Putin Addresses the Media, Recaps the Achievements of the Country

At the much-anticipated end-of-year press conference, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia can “move forward” in spite of Western economic sanctions and political isolation brought on by its assault in Ukraine.

In an attempt to convince Russians that the protracted struggle would not negatively impact their lives, Putin made an announcement last week announcing his intention to seek a fifth term in March.

Putin said, “There is enough for us to move forward and feel confident.”

“Consolidation of Russian society… the perseverance of the financial-economic system… (and) the increasing possibilities of our army’s capabilities,” he said, were among the nation’s strengths.

Still, he acknowledged that “inflation is rising.”

In addition, Putin said that “strengthening” Russian sovereignty is his primary goal for his fifth term in the Kremlin, which would extend his more than two-decade control until 2030.

He said, “This entails strengthening the nation’s defense capabilities and external security.”

He went on to say that “safeguarding the rights of citizens” would be another priority, even though Moscow has launched a massive crackdown on domestic opposition in the wake of the military conflict in Ukraine.

He said that only when Moscow had fulfilled its objectives in the almost two-year struggle could there be peace with Ukraine.

Peace will reign after we accomplish our objectives. They are staying the same. At his Moscow news conference, he said, “I will remind you of what we talked about: the demilitarization and de-nazification of Ukraine and its neutral status.”

Putin demanded that its pro-Western neighbor be “de-nazified” when he sent soldiers into Ukraine in February 2022—a vague concept that Holocaust survivors have denounced.

In addition, he called for the “de-militarization” of Ukraine, which was resisting Russian aggression.

Putin said, “We are forced to take other measures, including military measures, because they are unwilling to negotiate on demilitarization.”

The parties “agreed on this during the talks in Istanbul,” he said, but Ukraine later withdrew the accords.

He said, “We have to resolve (the issue) by force unless we agree.”