Moscow intent on pressing on in Ukraine, says Putin

Russia will not attack other nations if given respect, he says in annual year-end address

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Dec 19 said the ball was in the court of the West and Kyiv in talks to end the war in Ukraine, while hailing Moscow’s recent battlefield gains and threatening more.

Speaking during his annual year-end news conference ~ a staple of his 25-year rule - Mr Putin told Russians that Moscow was intent on pressing on in Ukraine, striking a confident tone.

The 73-year-old has repeatedly said Moscow will seize the rest of Ukrainian land he has proclaimed as Russian by force if talks fail.

The Russian leader said that he did not feel personally responsible for the tens of thousands of people killed since Moscow launched its offensive, which has become Europe’s worst conflict since World War II.

“We did not start this war,’ he said, repeating a frequent narrative pushed by Moscow throughout the conflict.

“We do not consider ourselves responsible for the loss of life.”

Mr Putin ordered the all-out assault in Ukraine in February 2022, sending troops and tanks towards Kyiv.

He also denied dragging out settlement talks and turning down proposals, claiming that Moscow had agreed to “some compromises” without elaborating.