Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that there will be no more wars after the Ukraine conflict, provided that Russia is treated with respect. During a marathon televised session, Putin addressed several issues, including Western accusations against Russia and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Putin firmly stated that Moscow is not planning to engage in any future conflicts, but only if its interests are respected by the West. “There won’t be any military operations if you treat us with respect, just as we’ve tried to respect your interests,” he emphasized.
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This comment follows a consistent theme in Putin’s rhetoric, where he has frequently mentioned Russia’s readiness for peace, while accusing the West of dishonoring commitments, especially regarding NATO’s eastward expansion after the fall of the Soviet Union. Putin’s stance is clear: he is prepared for peaceful negotiations if Ukraine withdraws from the contested regions and halts its efforts to join NATO.
Throughout the televised “Direct Line” event, which lasted nearly four and a half hours, Putin addressed a wide range of questions from the public and media. Despite the largely orchestrated nature of the session, some critical remarks from the public were shown, including complaints about rising prices, poor-quality water, and internet outages blamed on Ukrainian drone attacks.
Putin also discussed Russia’s economy, which has faced challenges such as rising prices and slowing growth. While he acknowledged the hardships, he asserted that Russia’s resilience would see it through. As part of efforts to stabilize the economy, Russia’s central bank announced a reduction in interest rates to 16%.
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Although Putin again expressed a willingness to end the war in Ukraine peacefully, his conditions remained rigid. He reiterated his demands that Ukrainian forces vacate four regions in the east, including Donbas, which Russia partially occupies, and that Kyiv abandons its pursuit of NATO membership.
Regarding the ongoing conflict, Putin ridiculed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the front lines, claiming that Russia was making progress despite Ukrainian efforts to hold their ground. Putin also expressed his belief that peace could be achieved, but only if the West acknowledges Russia’s security needs.
In recent days, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace proposals, which include the idea of new elections in Ukraine, have been a focal point in discussions. Putin has voiced his willingness to halt bombings if these elections were to take place, but he also pointed out that the West was the primary obstacle to peace.
Putin’s comments came as Ukraine’s security services claimed responsibility for an attack on a Russian oil tanker operating in the Mediterranean, although Putin downplayed the significance of the strike, asserting it would not disrupt Russian exports.
Despite ongoing pressure, Putin remains adamant that the ball is in the West’s court. “The West is blocking the peace deal,” he said. “The leaders of the Kyiv regime, and their European backers, are the ones hindering progress.”
As the war continues, diplomatic discussions remain pivotal, but the possibility of compromise from either side remains uncertain.
