Russian President Vladimir Putin made the end of the war against Ukraine this Thursday conditional on Moscow achieving the original objectives of the offensive launched almost two years ago, including the demilitarization, “denazification” and neutrality of the neighboring country.
“I remind you of what we talked about: the denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine, its neutrality status,” Putin said at his annual press conference in Moscow, as quoted by the French agency AFP.
The solution “will be negotiated or achieved by force,” he stated, ensuring that the original objectives of the offensive launched on February 24, 2022, have not changed.
“There will be peace when we achieve our goals,” emphasized Putin, who recently announced his intention to run for another term in March 2024.
The Russian leader said that no new military mobilization in Russia is planned for the time being after the autumn of 2022.
“Currently there is no need for that,” he said, noting that 486,000 soldiers were voluntarily recruited this year.
Putin said Russia has enough confidence to “move forward” despite economic sanctions, the war against Ukraine and confrontation with the West.
Asked about the economy’s resistance to sanctions, he said Russia has a “sufficient margin of safety” thanks to the consolidation of Russian society, the stability of the financial and economic system and the country’s “growing military capabilities.”
“It is enough not only to have confidence, but also to move forward,” Putin said.
However, he acknowledged that inflation in Russia remains high and is expected to reach 7.5 to 8% by the end of the year, which worries the population, and promised that the Central Bank will take appropriate measures to stop this inflation to call.
He said he expected GDP to grow by 3.5% this year, seeing this as an indicator that the country has caught up.
“We have taken a big step forward,” he said.
Source: DN
