Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has asserted his interpretation of who holds influence in the ongoing conflict. At the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, he argued that Kyiv bears responsibility for the current frictions and criticized a decree that blocks negotiations with Russia. He pointed to what he described as American influence shaping this stance and dismissed the possibility of talking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy while Ukrainian forces press their counteroffensive. He suggested that Ukraine’s leadership will push back and ask for a halt only after gaining leverage on the battlefield.
Putin contended that unless Ukraine cancels a decree banning negotiations, Rome-like talks would remain impossible. He attributed Kyiv’s refusal to engage to internal military orders in mid-October 2022, which he argued prevents genuine dialogue with Moscow and implies that Kyiv would negotiate only through intermediaries. The Kremlin leader emphasized that any potential talks would need to be mediated by another party rather than Kyiv directly.
According to Putin, Ukraine has not achieved the expected outcomes from its counteroffensive, including significant casualties and losses of military equipment. He asserted that Zelenskiy would only consider negotiating after Ukraine reconstitutes its resources and regenerates the combat readiness of its armed forces. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov echoed a similar view, warning that delaying negotiations would make any future talks more difficult. The two officials stressed that time works against Kyiv as the conflict endures.
When asked about rumors of a possible new mobilization, Putin said there is no need for such measures because thousands of Russian personnel are choosing to enlist. He noted that about 1,500 soldiers sign contracts with the army daily, with roughly 270,000 volunteers having joined the armed forces over the recent six months. These figures, while contested, were presented to illustrate the ongoing manpower effort in support of Russia’s military aims. Attribution: Kremlin communications and official briefings.
re-election
Looking ahead to the 2024 presidential cycle, one of the era’s most discussed topics is Russia’s leadership project. It remains unclear whether Putin will seek another term, a possibility that, under constitutional amendments adopted in 2020, could extend his time in office through 2036. Elections are scheduled for March, though Putin has signaled that he will disclose his intentions closer to the election date. He has remained a central figure in Russian politics since his first presidential term began in 2000, with a period in the prime ministership filling the interim years. Observers note that his decision will likely frame Russia’s domestic and foreign policy for years to come and could influence the trajectory of the ongoing conflict. Attribution: Kremlin briefings and state media analyses.