Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will not start any new wars after Ukraine — but only if Western countries, particularly in Europe and the United States, treat Moscow with what he calls “mutual respect.” Speaking during his long, televised end-of-year question-and-answer session, Putin dismissed claims that Russia plans to attack European nations, describing such warnings as exaggerated and baseless.
During the event, which lasted more than four hours, Putin was asked whether Russia could launch further military campaigns similar to its war in Ukraine. He insisted that future conflicts could be avoided if Western governments respected Russia’s security interests and stopped what he sees as deception, especially regarding NATO’s expansion eastward. He repeated long-standing accusations that the West failed to honor past assurances given after the Cold War.
The session combined questions from journalists and ordinary Russians, touching on everything from rising living costs and internet outages to foreign policy and national identity. While the event was tightly managed, some critical public comments still appeared, reflecting frustration over inflation, poor services, and economic pressure.
Putin acknowledged economic challenges at home, including rising prices and tax increases, but sought to project stability by pointing to decisions such as lower interest rates. Throughout the discussion, the war in Ukraine remained a constant backdrop. Putin again said he was open to ending the conflict peacefully but showed little willingness to compromise, repeating demands that Ukraine abandon its NATO ambitions and withdraw from territories Russia claims.
He also criticized Ukraine’s leadership and accused Western nations of fueling the conflict, arguing that Russia is fighting not just Ukraine, but what he described as a broader Western campaign against Moscow. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the United States, Putin insisted that responsibility for any stalled peace talks lies with Kyiv and its European allies.
As the broadcast drew to a close, the tone briefly softened with lighter questions about life, values, and love. Putin surprised some viewers by saying he believes in love at first sight — and hinted that he himself is in love — before ending the marathon appearance that once again blended defiance abroad with reassurance at home.