Putin Promises No More Wars If Russia Is Respected

Fri Dec 19 2025 21:25:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a lengthy televised conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserts that a future without wars is possible if the West respects Russia's interests. He denies plans to attack Europe and claims Western accusations are unfounded.

During an extensive press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that there would be no further military operations from Russia if Western nations respect its interests. He dismissed claims of imminent attacks on Europe as 'nonsense' and reiterated accusations against NATO while offering conditions for potential peace in Ukraine. As economic pressures mount, he emphasized cooperation and mutual respect with the West as necessary for peace.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has said there will be no more wars after Ukraine if Russia is treated with respect - and claims that Moscow is planning to attack European countries are 'nonsense'.

In a marathon televised event lasting almost four and a half hours, he was asked by the BBC's Steve Rosenberg whether there would be new 'special military operations' - Putin's term for the full-scale war.

'There won't be any operations if you treat us with respect, if you respect our interests just as we've always tried to respect yours,' he asserted.

His remarks align with a recent comment where he stated Russia is not planning to go to war, but is ready 'right now' if Europe desires it.

Additionally, he stipulated a condition, 'if you don't cheat us like you cheated us with NATO's eastward expansion.'

Putin has long accused NATO of reneging on an alleged promise made in 1990 to the then Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev before the collapse of the Soviet Union; Gorbachev later denied this claim.

The 'Direct Line' marathon incorporated questions from the general public and journalists across Russia, with Putin seated below a large map of Russia that included occupied areas of Ukraine like Crimea. Russian state TV reported more than three million questions had been submitted.

Despite the largely choreographed nature of the event, some critical public comments were displayed, with one referring to the proceedings as a 'circus'. Mobile internet outages, blamed by authorities on Ukrainian drone attacks, were also highlighted.

Putin addressed concerns regarding Russia's struggling economy, with rising prices and a VAT increase from 20 to 22% by January 1. Viewers submitted messages like, 'Stop the crazy rise in prices on everything!'

While the Kremlin typically uses the end-of-year event to showcase the economy's resilience, Putin's claims of 'ready and willing' to reach a peaceful resolution in Ukraine lacked evident signs of compromise.

His demands include Ukrainian forces withdrawing from four regions of Ukraine that Russia occupies and that Kyiv abandon its NATO aspirations.

Putin asserted that Russian forces are making headway in Ukraine, ridiculing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent visit to the frontlines, which he claimed contradicted Russian assertions of territorial gains.

The President also mentioned that new elections in Ukraine should feature in peace proposals submitted by US President Donald Trump.

While offering to halt bombing during elections, Putin characterized Western leaders as the primary blockers of a peace deal, placing the responsibility back on Kyiv and its European supporters.

In a concluding segment of the TV marathon, he responded to quick questions about personal views on friendship, religion, and love, stating he believes in love at first sight but declined to elaborate further.