Russian President Vladimir Putin stood firm on his conditions for resolving the conflict in Ukraine, accusing the European Union of trying to seize Russian assets during a press conference on Friday. Putin reiterated his position during the lengthy annual news conference, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution based on principles he outlined in June 2024. He highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of the crisis and expressed willingness to end the conflict through dialogue.
Putin reiterated his demands for Ukraine to abandon its NATO aspirations and withdraw from territories claimed by Russia. He emphasized that Ukraine must limit its military size and grant official status to the Russian language. The Russian leader stated that Russia currently controls around 19% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and parts of the Donbas region, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
The war in Ukraine has reached a critical juncture after the U.S. proposed a peace deal that raised concerns among Ukrainian and European officials about its favorability towards Russia. Diplomatic efforts have intensified, with Ukraine engaging with European leaders and U.S. officials in separate meetings. Putin expressed optimism about U.S. President Donald Trump’s commitment to ending the conflict.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need for willing participation from both Ukraine and Russia in the peace process. He stated that the U.S. plays a crucial role in mediating the dispute and highlighted the challenges of finding common ground between the conflicting parties.
French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that if U.S.-led mediation fails, Europe may reconsider direct talks with Putin. Most EU countries have cut off communication with Putin since the invasion of Ukraine. Putin has consistently blamed NATO’s expansion for the conflict, a claim rejected by the alliance based on historical treaties with Russia.
During the press conference, Putin criticized the EU’s decision to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, labeling it as “daylight robbery.” He warned of severe consequences for the EU’s reputation if such actions were carried out. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties for both Russia and Ukraine, with no credible estimates disclosed by either side.
As the press conference unfolded, Ukraine and Russia conducted a new exchange of deceased soldiers’ remains, underscoring the human toll of the conflict. Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky confirmed the transfer of bodies between the two countries, reflecting the ongoing challenges in reaching a lasting resolution.
