Putin is confident of victory and reaffirms military goals in Ukraine
Russian troops improved their positions "practically along the entire length of the line of contact" in Ukraine, said Putin: "We are making progress." Ukraine had launched a counter-offensive in June, but this did not bring the successes Kiev had hoped for. The course of the front has hardly changed this year.
For the first time, Putin commented on the number of Russian soldiers in Ukraine, stating that 617,000 soldiers are currently deployed there. He said that further mobilization was not necessary at present, with 1,500 recruits reporting daily. Putin did not provide any information on the number of soldiers killed. The USA estimates that 315,000 Russian troops have been injured or killed.
The Kremlin leader made it clear that he remains committed to the goals of the offensive launched in February 2022: the removal of the Ukrainian government from power, which he describes as "Nazis", the destruction of the neighboring country's military capabilities and its "neutral status". A solution would be "achieved through negotiation or force", Putin emphasized.
The question and answer session, which was observed by hundreds of journalists and in which hand-picked citizens were allowed to ask questions over the phone, lasted four hours. According to Russian television, more than 2.8 million questions had been submitted for the program in advance. As in previous years, everyday concerns of citizens were dealt with virtually live. For example, children from a town on the annexed Crimean Peninsula were told during the broadcast that their sports hall would be renovated.
However, the president did not respond to critical questions sent in by text message or comments that were shown on a large screen during the broadcast. For example, one viewer wrote that Putin should refrain from running for president again: "Make way for younger people." Last week, the 71-year-old announced that he would run again in the presidential election next March.
Last year, Putin had canceled his traditional question time in light of the setbacks for his army in Ukraine.
The president was also optimistic about the resilience of the Russian economy. The sanctions imposed by the West had hardly harmed the economy. "We have enough not only to be confident, but also to move forward."
The Kremlin leader is also likely to feel strengthened by the increasingly hesitant attitude of Ukraine's Western allies. New billions in aid from the USA for Ukraine is currently blocked due to opposition from the Republicans.
And the EU is also struggling for further aid for Ukraine and the opening of accession negotiations with Kiev. At the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, Hungarian head of government Viktor Orban reiterated his rejection of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. "There is no reason to discuss anything, because the conditions have not been met," said Orban.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the participants of the EU summit via video message to give the green light for the start of accession negotiations. "Don't give Vladimir Putin a victory," he said. "Now is not the time for half measures." Russia's President Vladimir Putin would use such hesitation against Europe.
NATO chief Stoltenberg warned that Putin could attack other countries if the West's military support for Kiev waned. "If Putin wins in Ukraine, there is a real danger that his aggression there will not stop," said Stoltenberg in Brussels. "Our support is not charity. It is an investment in our security."
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- Putin stated that Russian troops have made significant progress along the contact line in Ukraine, affirming his confidence of victory.
- During a four-hour Q&A session broadcasted by Russian television, Putin reaffirmed his commitment to the goals of the February 2022 offensive in Ukraine.
- The USA estimates that over 315,000 Russian soldiers have been injured or killed during the conflict in Ukraine, a figure Putin did not mention during the Q&A.
- Putin acknowledged the deployment of 617,000 soldiers in Ukraine, but denied the necessity for further mobilization due to 1,500 daily recruits.
- In a bid to strengthen his stance, Putin highlighted the resilience of the Russian economy, unaffected by the sanctions imposed by Western countries.
- The hesitant attitude of Ukraine's Western allies, such as the blockage of aid from the USA and EU's struggles with accession negotiations, could further empower Putin.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the EU to approve accession negotiations, warning of a potential victory for Putin and the potential for Russian aggression afterwards.
- NATO Chief Stoltenberg warned that a Russian victory in Ukraine could embolden Putin to target other countries, viewing Western support for Kiev as an investment in their own security.
- Despite these challenges, the USA's continued military support for Ukraine remains a key objective to counteract Putin's advancements and defend against future Russian aggression.
Source: www.stern.de
