As Russia’s offensive pushes into another winter, President Vladimir Putin has renewed threats to capture the rest of eastern Ukraine through military force if negotiations fail.
The war, launched in February 2022, has evolved into Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II, claiming thousands of lives on both sides and reshaping global security and politics.
Russia continues to face sweeping Western sanctions and a domestic clampdown on dissent not seen since the Soviet era.
Speaking at a nationally televised address broadcast across major Russian cities, Putin claimed Russian forces were gaining ground along the front lines and that Ukrainian troops were retreating.
“Our troops are advancing along the entire line of contact… the enemy is retreating in all directions,” he said, adding that more battlefield gains should be expected before the end of the year.
Security was tightened around the Kremlin and Red Square ahead of the event, with several areas sealed off to pedestrians and a visible presence of police and security services.
Putin’s renewed comments come as the European Union moves to support Kyiv and resist pressure from the United States for a proposed peace deal that Ukrainian officials fear could force them into surrender. The Kremlin, meanwhile, is working to exclude Europe from negotiations entirely.
This week, Putin escalated his rhetoric by calling EU leaders “piglets” and vowing to seize all remaining Ukrainian territory he claims belongs to Russia if diplomacy stalls. On Friday, he warned of “severe” consequences if European governments proceed with proposals to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defence.
The event — a highly controlled televised forum that allows selected press questions and citizen call-ins — was preceded by nearly three million submissions from Russians across the country.
In Moscow, some residents expressed hope for the conflict to end, but only under Russian terms. One woman, Lilya Reshetnyak, said she supports holding positions in Donbas, where she has family members fighting, though she raised concerns about life in occupied areas, including water shortages.
Russia has already seized large parts of eastern Ukraine and demands that Kyiv surrender even more land — terms Ukraine rejects outright. Russian forces have made recent gains, particularly in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Fighting continues as the United States pursues separate discussions with both Kyiv and Moscow. With Russian forces currently in a stronger position, Moscow insists on securing an agreement before allowing a ceasefire.
US President Donald Trump recently signalled that Ukraine may need to give up territory, raising concern among European leaders who fear a rushed settlement could heavily favour Moscow.
Putin also dismissed concerns about Russia’s slowing economy, despite rising inflation, sanctions pressure, and near-stagnant growth. He argued that Russia’s economic performance compares favourably to European markets, even as analysts warn the country is edging toward recession after nearly four years of war-driven spending.
Criticism of the Ukraine invasion remains illegal in Russia, and thousands have faced prosecution, imprisonment, or intimidation for speaking out. Nearly all of Putin’s major political opponents are either jailed, exiled, or dead.
Putin first assumed the presidency in December 1999, following Boris Yeltsin’s resignation. Since then, he has become Russia’s longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin and remains firmly in control as the war enters its fourth year.
