Paul Kirbyand
Laura Gozzi
President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, proclaimed that if Russia is granted respect, there will be no further wars following Ukraine, while dismissing accusations that Moscow intends to assault European nations as “nonsense”.
During a televised appearance spanning nearly four and a half hours, he responded to BBC’s Steve Rosenberg’s inquiry about potential new “special military operations” – the term Putin uses for the extensive invasion of Ukraine.
“No operations will occur if you engage with us respectfully and value our interests as we have endeavored to value yours,” he declared.
Earlier this month, Putin mentioned that Russia had no intentions of waging war against Europe but was prepared “at this moment” if Europe desired it.
When questioned by the BBC Russia editor on Friday, Putin further stipulated that there would be no additional Russian invasions “if you do not deceive us as you did regarding NATO’s eastward expansion”.
He has consistently blamed NATO for reneging on a supposed 1990 Western assurance to Mikhail Gorbachev, the then-leader of the Soviet Union, prior to its dissolution. Gorbachev has since denied such a statement was made.
The “Direct Line” marathon featured inquiries from the public and journalists throughout Russia in a Moscow venue, where Putin sat beneath a vast map of Russia that included occupied territories in Ukraine, such as Crimea, annexed in 2014.
State media in Russia reported that over three million questions had been submitted.
Shortly after the televised marathon concluded, Ukrainian officials reported that seven individuals were killed and another 15 were injured in a Russian missile strike in the southern Odesa region of Ukraine. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia commenced in February 2022.
EPAThough the “Direct Line” appeared largely scripted, several critical remarks from the audience were displayed on a large screen, including one that characterized the event as a “circus”, another lamenting internet disruptions, and one pointing out the poor quality of tap water. Authorities have attributed mobile internet outages to Ukrainian drone attacks.
Putin also discussed the struggling Russian economy, marked by rising prices, declining growth, and an increase in VAT from 20 to 22% starting January 1. One message to the president stated: “Stop the outrageous surge in prices on everything!”
The Kremlin often utilizes the end-of-year event to showcase the economy’s resilience, and while Putin spoke, Russia’s central bank announced a reduction in interest rates to 16%.
Foreign policy matters were intertwined with reflections on the homeland, commendation for local enterprises, fish pricing, and the significance of caring for veterans.
However, the issue of nearly four years of all-out war in Ukraine loomed large, often resonating in the background of numerous inquiries.
Putin reiterated his stance of being “ready and willing” to conclude the war in Ukraine “peacefully”, yet showed little indication of readiness to compromise.
He reaffirmed his demands outlined in a June 2024 address, insisting that Ukrainian forces withdraw from four territories partially held by Russia and that Kyiv abandon its aspirations to join NATO.
The primary demand from Russia remains full authority over Ukraine’s eastern Donbas, including about 23% of the Donetsk region which Russia has yet to occupy.
Putin contended that Russian troops were achieving progress along the front lines in Ukraine and mocked Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent visit to the front at Kupiansk, during which the Ukrainian leader managed to contradict Russian assertions that they had seized control of the town.
Putin has called for new elections in Ukraine to be incorporated into the peace proposals put forth by US President Donald Trump as part of efforts to resolve the conflict. At his press conference, Putin suggested halting airstrikes in Ukraine during the voting period.
On Friday, Ukraine’s SBU security service reported striking an oil tanker for the first time that was part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the Mediterranean. Putin remarked that it would not yield the desired outcome for Kyiv and would not disturb Russian exports.
While most inquiries from Russian media or the public didn’t challenge Putin, two came from Western reporters, NBC’s Keir Simmons and the BBC’s Steve Rosenberg.
When Simmons questioned if Putin would bear responsibility for the fatalities of Ukrainians and Russians if he dismissed the Trump peace initiative, Putin acknowledged the US president’s genuine attempts to conclude the war, but claimed that it was the West, not Russia, hindering an agreement.
“The responsibility rests with our Western adversaries,” he stated, “especially the leaders of the Kyiv administration, and in this context, primarily their European backers.”
Trump has suggested that a peace agreement is more attainable than ever, and despite Putin’s apparent unwillingness to compromise, the US president expressed hope that “Ukraine acts swiftly because Russia is present there”.
A Ukrainian delegation is meeting in Miami on Friday with Trump’s representative Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Officials from Germany, France, and Britain are also participating, following their meeting with US officials in Berlin just days prior.
Reports indicate that Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev is also anticipated in Miami over the weekend.
Putin informed the BBC’s Russia editor: “We are prepared to collaborate with you – including the UK, Europe as a whole, and the United States, but on an equal basis, respecting each other’s perspectives.
“We are willing to halt these hostilities immediately, contingent upon assurance of Russia’s medium- and long-term security, and we are ready to partner with you.”
He accused the West of crafting an enemy out of Russia. Skirting his decision to execute a full-scale invasion in February 2022, he claimed: “You are waging war against us using the hands of Ukrainian neo-Nazis,” while reiterating his usual criticisms of Ukraine’s democratically elected leaders.
European intelligence agencies have alerted that Russia might soon be poised to target NATO. The chief of the Western defensive alliance, Mark Rutte, stated this month that Russia is already escalating a covert campaign and that the West must brace itself for conflict.
While many questions were innocuous, including several from children, a question from a journalist in Yakutia in northeastern Siberia underscored a tenfold rise in energy costs over the past four years. Putin assured her that his administration would explore alternative energy sources and “consider Yakutia’s situation”.
Near the end of the televised marathon, Putin faced a barrage of rapid-fire questions covering his perspectives on friendship, faith, patriotism, and love at first sight. He expressed his belief in love at first sight – then added that he himself was in love, but refrained from providing further details.
