President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to its objectives in the Ukrainian conflict during a marathon four-hour press conference on Thursday, emphasizing the ongoing deployment of Russian troops and asserting the need to secure Ukraine’s “demilitarization,” “denazification,” and neutrality.
Putin also ruled out an immediate wave of further mobilization in Russia, confirming that approximately 617,000 Russian troops are currently engaged in Ukraine, indicating that no additional mobilization is currently necessary.
Addressing questions from the public, media, and frontline soldiers, Putin underscored the active involvement of Russian forces in what he termed a “special military operation,” stating, “Our troops are actively consolidating positions along the entire contact line, engaged in an active phase of action.”
Against the backdrop of escalating tensions, Putin reiterated Moscow’s opposition to Ukraine’s pursuit of NATO and European Union membership, highlighting these moves as key factors in the ongoing conflict. He reiterated his belief that Western expansion was the primary cause of the war, a viewpoint sharply contested by Western nations.
“We seek peace through achieving our goals… If Ukrainian authorities decline to reach an agreement, we may have to resort to other measures, including military actions,” Putin asserted firmly during the conference.
While discussing the conflict’s economic impact, Putin projected a 3.5% growth in the Russian economy for the year but cautioned about potential 8% annual inflation rates, blaming the government for substantial increases in egg prices.
In the midst of public concerns about rising living costs, Putin faced questions from the audience, highlighting citizen apprehensions. Additionally, he drew a contrast between Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Israel’s involvement in Gaza, stating they were “very different.”
