Putin's Determination: Achieving Russia's Goals in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated during his year-end press conference that there will only be peace in Ukraine when Russia achieves its goals, demanding Ukraine's unconditional surrender and calling for its demilitarization and neutral status. Putin also addressed the detained Wall Street Journal reporter and expressed Russia's ongoing negotiations with the US for a potential prisoner exchange. He projected confidence in Russia's war machine, claiming strengthened defensive positions and dismissing Ukrainian efforts as a "last-ditch" attempt. Putin predicted that western support for Ukraine would diminish and highlighted Russia's resilient wartime economy, which is expected to grow by 3.5% this year.