“The situation is changing drastically”: the battle for the Kursk region, the “Oreshnik,” and inflation: key statements from Putin during the direct line session

Today, December 19, Vladimir Putin is holding a “Direct Line” session, his second since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Talks with Trump

Putin stated that he is ready for negotiations with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump but does not know when they will meet, adding that he “has not spoken to him in more than four years.”

Earlier, Western media reported that Putin and Trump had already held a phone conversation after the Republican’s election victory. However, neither Trump nor the Kremlin has confirmed this.

Willingness to Compromise and Negotiations

Putin said he is ready for “compromises” on Ukraine. This was his response to an American journalist’s question about what proposals Moscow could present to Trump.

“We have always said we are ready for negotiations and compromises. The other side refused to negotiate. The outcome of negotiations is always a compromise,” Putin said.

He accused Ukraine of being unwilling to engage in talks, repeating that they were disrupted by Kyiv and its Western allies in the spring of 2022.

“After all, we reached agreements in Istanbul. The Ukrainian side initialed the document, meaning they agreed. Then Mr. Johnson [Boris Johnson] came and told them to fight to the last Ukrainian.”

Putin claimed that Russia is prepared to negotiate with Ukraine without preconditions, but based on the Istanbul agreements (which included Ukraine’s neutral status) and “realities on the ground.”

“Oreshnik” Duel

Putin proposed a “technical experiment and duel” to the West, involving a strike with the “Oreshnik” missile on Kyiv.

“Let Kyiv suggest a target for us. Let them concentrate all NATO missile and air defense systems, and we will strike with the ‘Oreshnik.’ We are ready for such an experiment. Are they ready?” Putin said.

“It would be interesting and beneficial for both us and the American side,” he added, asserting that Western systems cannot intercept the “Oreshnik.”

Construction of a Ring Road Around the Sea of Azov

Putin announced plans to build a ring road around the Sea of Azov starting from Taganrog.

The new highway will pass through occupied territories in southern Ukraine, connect to Crimea, and then extend into the Krasnodar region.

Previously, Russia also announced plans to build a railway from the Donetsk region to Crimea.

Mariupol

Putin claimed that 300,000 residents have already returned to Mariupol.

Earlier, Ukrainian MPs and Mariupol officials reported that 150,000 displaced people returned to Russian-occupied territories due to housing issues in Kyiv-controlled regions. Most of these returns were to Mariupol, which is being actively rebuilt by Russia.

However, these numbers were later disputed by Ukrainian authorities.

Russian Military Bases in Syria

Putin claimed that the “overwhelming majority” of Syrian groups that seized power in Damascus have proposed that Russia retain its military bases in the country.

“We need to think about this proposal,” he said.

He stated that Moscow had offered to use two Russian bases for delivering humanitarian aid to Syria, and “this was understood” by the new Syrian authorities.

Putin also asserted that “what happened in Syria” (the fall of Assad’s regime) does not represent a defeat for Russia.

“We achieved our goal in Syria—we prevented the creation of an Islamic caliphate. Now, non-terrorists are in power there,” he said.

Putin also mentioned that he has not yet met with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad but plans to do so.