MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Moscow was prepared to end the war in Ukraine immediately if it received firm security guarantees. However, he reiterated long-standing demands, including Ukraine abandoning its Nato ambitions and ceding all territories claimed by Russia.
Read More: Putin says Russia disagrees with parts of US plan to end Ukraine war
Speaking at a lengthy year-end press conference, Putin struck an uncompromising tone and placed responsibility for peace squarely on Kyiv and its Western allies. He insisted that Russia had no intention of attacking Europe and remained open to negotiations under its stated conditions.
Putin said the terms for ending the conflict remained unchanged from those outlined in June 2024. These include Ukraine’s full withdrawal from four regions claimed by Moscow, a demand Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.
🚨🌎 Putin:- “We are prepared to end, we want to, this conflict by peaceful means”
At this point the only people who wish to see the will continue are the people profiting from the military industrial complex and deep state owned politicians. pic.twitter.com/35DmkM03Hp
— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) December 19, 2025
Ukraine maintains that it will not give up territory that Russian forces have failed to fully capture during nearly four years of fighting. The war remains the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two.
The remarks came as Ukrainian negotiators prepared for a fresh round of US-backed peace talks. Kyiv’s defence minister, Rustem Umerov, said talks with US officials and European partners were set to begin, stressing the need for long-term and reliable security guarantees.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has intensified diplomatic efforts to broker a settlement. White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner recently met Ukrainian and European officials in Berlin and are expected to engage with a Russian delegation soon.
Putin welcomed Trump’s involvement, saying the US president was making sincere efforts to end the conflict. He added that Moscow remained ready for negotiations if its security concerns were addressed.
The Russian leader also criticised the European Union over discussions on using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. He described the move as “daylight robbery” and warned of serious consequences.
Read More: Putin visits India to boost energy and defence ties
Despite the focus on the war, domestic frustrations surfaced during the event, with Russians raising concerns about rising living costs and public services. Meanwhile, Ukraine reported a drone strike on a Russian-linked oil tanker, signalling a widening scope of the conflict.