Putin Exudes Confidence That War in Ukraine Is Going His Way
- Russia will achieve war goals, Putin tells marathon news event
- President spoke as Ukraine struggles for aid from US, EU
In a photo distributed by Russia's state agency Sputnik, Vladimir Putin delivers his year-end press conference.
Photographer: Vladimir Gerdo/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Vladimir Putin delivered one clear message at his marathon news conference — he’s not backing down or planning to compromise in his war on Ukraine ahead of presidential elections in March.
While Putin spoke during four hours of mostly softball questions from journalists and selected citizens on Thursday, sirens blared repeatedly across Ukraine as Russia continued missile and drone strikes including with Kinzhal hypersonic weapons. Soldiers featured prominently at the televised event, allowing Putin to heap praise on his army for the unprovoked invasion that’s devastated Ukraine and upended European security.