Putin Holds Annual Press Conference, Outlines Stance on Ukraine Conflict and Foreign Policy

On December 19, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin held his lengthy annual press conference in Moscow. Regarding Ukraine, he stated that Russian forces held the strategic initiative and were advancing along the entire line of contact, while reiterating Russia's willingness to end the conflict by peaceful means if the "root causes" were addressed.

On relations with the West, Putin condemned potential EU confiscation of frozen Russian assets as "robbery" and accused NATO of deception over its eastward expansion. He stated Russia was ready to provide written guarantees of non-aggression towards NATO and the EU, but stressed that dialogue must be based on mutual respect and international law.