Statements by Vladimir Putin during the 'Direct Line'
During the annual 'Direct Line', President of Russia Vladimir Putin announced the control of Russian troops over Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region and the initiative at the front. He also claimed that the RF troops are ready to end the conflict through peaceful means, although they do not see Ukraine's readiness for dialogue. Putin emphasized that the initiative at the front has 'completely and fully' shifted to the Russian troops and mentioned several localities, including:
- Seversk
- Pokrovsk
- Lyman
- Myronivsk
- Huliaipole
Vladimir Putin also expressed doubts about the credibility of Ukrainian claims, calling the video of the President of Ukraine a 'fake'. During the speech, he stated economic data, claiming that the growth of Russia's GDP will be 1% in 2025. According to him, over three years, the RF economy has grown by 9.7%, and the national debt is about 17.7% of GDP.
Putin's concluding statements
Concluding his speech, Putin noted:
'Why stand at the threshold - come into the house'and also stated that 'Moscow is ready to end the conflict through peaceful means'. However, he also noted that 'such steps will undermine trust in the eurozone', emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the region.
Vladimir Putin's speech reflects his position on the current military situation and Russia's intentions regarding a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Claims about control over localities can influence the perception of the situation both in Ukraine and in the international community. At the same time, doubts regarding Ukrainian statements and focus on economic indicators indicate the Kremlin's attempt to back its position not only with military but also with economic arguments. This may indicate an effort to strengthen domestic support and demonstrate to foreign allies the stability of the Russian economy in the context of the conflict.