"Putin's Unwavering Determination: Russia's Goals in Ukraine Remain Unchanged"

Russian President Vladimir Putin held his annual end-of-year press conference, stating that Russia's goals in Ukraine remain unchanged, including the de-nazification, de-militarization, and neutral status of Ukraine. He mentioned that peace would only be possible after de-militarization and warned of the possibility of resolving the conflict by force if an agreement cannot be reached. Putin also expressed hope for a solution regarding the detention of two high-profile Americans in Russia. The press conference, followed by a call-in television show, allows Putin to portray himself as a problem-solver and address domestic issues raised by ordinary Russians.