British News Agency

Russian President Putin, speaking on a program he attended, shared assessments regarding the year 2025.

Putin said everything began with the 2014 coup in Ukraine and the illusion that all problems could be resolved peacefully through the Minsk agreements. “In 2022, when everything came to the edge of the abyss, when the Kyiv regime started a war in southeastern Ukraine, we told them this: Look, we will have to recognize these unrecognized republics, and it would be better if you allowed people to live in peace the way they want—without your coups, without Russophobia, and so on. Just withdraw your troops, that’s all,” he said.

Putin said that after the talks in Istanbul, there was initially an understanding and it was almost signed, but then they stepped back and all those agreements were thrown in the trash. He continued:

“Now, in essence, they refuse to end this conflict peacefully. But nevertheless, we see, feel, and know certain signals of readiness to enter into some kind of dialogue, including from the Kyiv regime. The only thing I want to say—and we have always said this—is that we are ready and willing to end this conflict by peaceful means, on the basis of the principles I summarized last June at Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and by removing the root causes that led to this crisis.”

Putin said the one percent economic growth this year was a deliberate step taken by the government, the Central Bank, and the country’s entire leadership in connection with inflation targeting.

He added that, overall, this target should be considered achieved: “Because the goal was set to reduce inflation to at least six percent. But all indicators show it will be below six percent by the end of the year, around 5.7–5.8 percent. However, the slowdown in economic growth is a deliberate step paid for to preserve the quality of the economy and macroeconomic indicators.”

Putin said: “We, too, would very much like to live next year in peace, away from military conflicts. And I repeat: We would very much like to resolve all contentious issues through negotiations, and we are working toward that. Of course, and I think you will agree, in order for something like this not to happen again and for peace to be long-lasting, strong, and sustainable, we must address the root causes of the conflict. We will work toward that as well.”