From 'craving movement' to Oreshnik threats: Putin on war progress in Ukraine

Economy and "craving movement"

Putin began drawing parallels with the war in response to a question about how the Russian economy is still managing to stay afloat.
"When everything is calm, measured, and stable, we get bored, stagnant. We crave movement. Once 'movement' begins, everything starts whistling past our temples — both seconds and bullets are whistling now — then we get scared, terrified," he said, adding that the overall situation with the economy is "normal."

To support his words, Putin cited a record-low unemployment rate of 2.3% and growth in specific industrial sectors of up to 8%. At the same time, the dictator acknowledged problems with inflation and and economic overheating and promised a "soft landing" next year.

It should be noted that economic overheating, low unemployment, and increased production are widely considered direct consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine.

Course of the war against Ukraine

Commenting on the course of the war against Ukraine, he claimed that the situation is changing dramatically.
"Movement occurs along the entire front line every day. We're not talking about 200-300 meters advances — our fighters are taking territories in square kilometers," Putin said.

When asked if a Russian victory is near, the dictator replied: "Combat operations are a complex matter, so it's hard and pointless to make predictions. But we are moving toward solving the primary tasks."

Situation in the Kursk Region

According to him, Russian troops are forcing Ukrainian defense forces out of the Kursk region. He also responded to a question allegedly from a resident of the Bolshesoldatsky district (where Ukrainian forces have not entered) about when locals could return home from evacuation.

"I can't and don't want to name a specific date for when they will be driven out [Ukrainian troops — ed.]. It's unclear why there was any military sense for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to enter the Kursk region. None whatsoever. They can't hold out as they are now, but it's happening... A specific date? There are plans, and I am regularly informed about them. But to say 'by this date' — that's not how it works," he emphasized.

He also fantasized that more Ukrainian armored vehicles had allegedly been destroyed in the Kursk region over four months than during the entire past year on the Ukrainian front. He expressed "genuine surprise" that Russian military personnel there are not being paid rewards for destroying equipment and are generally paid several times less than the occupying troops in Ukraine.

It should be noted that, in an earlier interview with Le Monde, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated there was no choice about conducting operations in the Kursk region because it was necessary to thwart Putin’s plans to attack Sumy and Kharkiv, as well as to divert Russian forces from the Donetsk region.

New threats to strike with the Oreshnik missile

Regarding the medium-range ballistic missile Oreshnik, Putin continues to insist that it is supposedly a modern Russian development.
"Everything that is being developed builds upon previous achievements, and then people take a step forward," he commented on the claim that Oreshnik is a modernization of Soviet missiles, as suggested by both Ukraine and the West.

He also tried to refute claims that the Oreshnik could be easily intercepted in its initial flight trajectory. However, he speculated that this could be tested if the Americans decided to provide Ukraine with THAAD systems (a missile defense complex for exoatmospheric interception of medium-range missiles).

Putin also hinted at "our guys" allegedly transmitting valuable information from Ukrainian territory.
"When I say 'our guys,' I say it without irony; we have people to talk to in Ukraine. Many of our guys dream of joining us in freeing the country from... the regime," he added.

Putin admitted that Oreshnik might be intercepted by Aegis systems stationed in two positional areas in Romania and Poland. However, he doubted the possibility of hitting the complex on the ground, as "the separation of warheads begins within seconds [after launch — ed.], and that's it, the train has left the station."

"But if Western experts believe so, let them propose to us and the US a kind of 21st-century high-tech duel. Let them designate some object to target, say, in Kyiv, focus their air defense and missile defense systems there, and we will strike with the Oreshnik and see what happens. We are ready for such an experiment," the dictator cynically stated.

On Nuclear Doctrine and a Message to the West
Putin elaborated on the amendments to Russia’s nuclear doctrine. He reminded that the presence of missile defense systems near Russia’s borders could be interpreted as a military threat.

He also stated that the changes in the doctrine are intended to increase the level of responsibility of non-nuclear states if they attack Russia with the support of countries possessing nuclear weapons. Here, he was clearly referring to Ukraine’s strikes using Western partners’ weapons.

"If threats are created, we consider ourselves entitled to use nuclear weapons. And we have declared that if similar threats are created for Belarus, Russia will consider them as threats to itself," Putin added.

Weak positions and what he could offer Trump

Putin avoided answering a direct question about what he could offer Donald Trump regarding Ukraine if Trump officially becomes President of the United States. However, he noted that he is ready to meet with him at any time.

Notably, the question was posed by an American journalist who claimed that the Kremlin’s position is weak. "You would really like Russia to be in a weakened state. I hold a different view; I believe Russia has become much stronger over the past 2-3 years... The combat readiness of our armed forces is at the highest level in the world," the dictator said.

He also stated that "practically all NATO countries" are fighting against him. He added that with the current level of Western military production, not only 2% of GDP for defense but even 3% would not suffice.

"I believe Russia has significantly strengthened. And we will make decisions without looking back at anyone else’s opinion," Putin said.

At the same time, he does not consider the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in Syria to be a defeat for Russia. "I assure you, that is not the case... Overall, we achieved our goals. Even the groups that once fought against Assad’s regime have undergone internal changes," he explained regarding his Syrian ally’s escape to Russia and his inability to protect him.

Notably, Putin did not mention that at least in the early days of the rapid offensive by opposition forces in Aleppo and Hama, Russian aviation was dropping bombs on their positions.

"For those who want to portray Russia as weakened, I want to quote a famous writer: 'The rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated.' And if there is ever a meeting with Mr. Trump, I am confident we will have plenty to discuss," he added.

Possible compromise and whom he is ready to talk to in Ukraine

Putin admitted the possibility of reaching a compromise regarding Ukraine. "We are always ready for negotiations and compromises. But the opposing side has refused negotiations... and the result of such talks is always a compromise," he said.

However, according to him, future peace talks must be based on the Istanbul agreements of 2022. Notably, at that time, Moscow demanded that Ukraine abandon its NATO ambitions, significantly reduce its army, grant official status to the Russian language, and more.

As for whom Putin is ready to negotiate with on the Ukrainian side, he once again referred to his interpretation of Ukraine’s Constitution, claiming that the president’s legitimacy is questionable. According to Ukraine’s Constitution and laws, the president remains in office until a new one is elected, and elections cannot be held during martial law.

"There is only one body of power whose mandate can be extended under martial law—the Rada... If not with (President Volodymyr Zelenskyy), then with whom? If someone else participates in elections and gains legitimacy, we will talk to anyone, including Zelenskyy. But if Ukraine wants to pursue peaceful resolution, they can do so. They can organize their internal processes however they want, but we can only sign agreements with those who are legitimate. The legitimate entities are the Rada and its head (Ruslan Stefanchuk)," he said.

Putin also claims that he no longer has preconditions for negotiations.

"We are ready to engage in dialogue without preconditions. But it must be based on the agreements reached during the Istanbul process and reflect the realities on the ground," he added, implying that Ukraine must agree to Russia's occupation of Crimea and four regions.

On the assassination of General Kirillov in Moscow

Putin had to comment on the assassination of General Igor Kirillov in Moscow. Kirillov was the head of the radiation, chemical, and biological defense forces.

Putin called the killing a terrorist act, as it was carried out in a dangerous manner. He accused the Ukrainian authorities of "repeatedly committing such crimes against Russian citizens."

Notably, Kirillov was eliminated near his building entrance with the help of a scooter rigged with explosives. According to RBC-Ukraine sources, the operation was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU). A citizen of Uzbekistan was arrested on suspicion of the general’s murder. Officially, Ukraine has not claimed responsibility. Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the head of the Office of the President, said in a comment to RBC-Ukraine’s YouTube channel that all "terrorist acts" on Russian territory are attempts to shift responsibility onto others.

"Late" to the war against Ukraine

According to Putin, if he had known that the war with Ukraine could last for three years, he might have launched large-scale hostilities earlier than 2022.

"This decision, which was made at the beginning of 2022, should have been made earlier. That's the first thing. Secondly, we should have started preparing, including for the SMO. The events in Crimea were spontaneous. The events of 2022 also began without preparation," he said.

He also claimed that the invasion began because "it was no longer possible to stand still and wait for the situation to deteriorate." He further accused Ukraine of allegedly abandoning the Minsk agreements before February 24, 2022, even though Putin himself had declared two days earlier that the Minsk agreements ceased to exist after Moscow recognized the so-called LPR/DPR. Earlier, the Russian side consistently sabotaged the work of the Minsk Contact Group.

Whether Putin is ready to cease fire "instantly"

According to him, such proposals are included in the peace initiatives of China, Brazil, and South Africa, which "impose nothing on either side."

"Can hostilities be stopped right now? You see, the thing is… Ukrainian armed forces are depleting their military equipment, ammunition, and personnel. Our army is advancing... Stopping for a week would allow (Ukrainian forces - ed.) to fortify positions, rest, and receive equipment and ammunition," Putin said.

He also stated that a prolonged truce would enable Ukraine’s Defense Forces to re-equip and better train their soldiers. "We do not need a truce but peace, secured with guarantees for Russia. This is a complex issue, but in general, a solution can be sought," he said, confirming that he was allegedly ready for a two-day Christmas truce as proposed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.