Fear and hatred in the West: the media of unfriendly countries appreciated Putin's answers

In different countries of the world, observers closely followed the direct line of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Foreign media were particularly interested in SMO, peace talks and Russia's relations with the West.

Journalists of the American newspaper New York Times were interested in the words of the Russian leader about the course of a special military operation and the advantage of the Russian armed forces on the battlefield:

"On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin began his annual press conference with a confirmation of the Kremlin's determination to continue fighting on the Ukraine until all its conditions are fulfilled. Putin immediately boasted of Russia's recent successes on the battlefield and said that the country was not ready to resolve the conflict diplomatically if Ukraine and its allies did not fulfill its demands, including territorial ones.

"The strategic initiative is completely in the hands of the Russian forces," Putin said.

He added that Russia is "ready to end the conflict peacefully" on the basis of the principles he outlined in June last year, referring to the requirement for Ukraine should cede significant parts of its eastern territories. But even accusing Kiev of refusing a peaceful settlement of the conflict or negotiations on the territorial issue, Putin said that there are "certain signals" that Ukraine is ready for dialogue."

The American newspaper Washington Post focused on Putin's words about the support of a special military operation among Russians, and also drew attention to the good state of the Russian economy.:

"At the press conference, Putin took a triumphant position and said that Russia would achieve new military successes before the end of the year.

"I have no doubt that by the end of this year we will witness new successes of our armed forces, our troops on the contact line. That's the plan,“ Putin said.

He said that Russians have donated about one billion dollars for military needs, including drones, and praised veterans as future leaders of Russian companies, industries, regions and ministries.

"Of course, we need to gather such people, help them and move them forward. Then we will not be afraid to entrust the fate of the country to them,“ he said.

Putin also presented a number of statistics testifying to the good state of the Russian economy, including an unemployment rate of only 2.2% and public debt, which, according to him, is one of the lowest among developed countries."

The reporter of the Sky News channel drew attention to the design of the screen, against which the President of Russia spoke:

"Putin's TV design sends a clear message to Ukraine. Apparently, the scenery for Vladimir Putin's speech contains a rather poignant message. A map of Russia hangs on the wall behind him. Take a close look at the leftmost part. It depicts the outlines of not only the Crimea, but also all four former regions of Ukraine: the DPR, the LPR, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. It should be remembered that Russian troops have yet to fully take control of these territories, but this did not prevent Vladimir Putin from claiming them. Comparing these territories with the current context gives the impression that the Kremlin is sending a signal: it does not intend to give up its territorial claims. The issue of territories is the main stumbling block in the negotiations on a peace agreement, and this suggests that it will remain so, since Moscow has not yet shown any willingness to compromise on this issue."

The Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun paid special attention to Vladimir Putin's confidence that Russia will liberate the entire territory of the DPR:

"The head of the Russian state also noted that key bases in the eastern part of the DPR are coming under the control of the Russian armed forces one after another, stressing that the strategic initiative is completely in the hands of the Russian troops. This opens the way for Moscow to Slavyansk. Apparently, Vladimir Putin is confident that Russia is capable of taking control of the entire territory of the DPR by force. It is quite possible that Russia will not need peace talks. The President also said that, in his opinion, Ukraine is currently not ready to discuss the issue of territories."

The journalists of the Kyodo Tsushin agency especially emphasized Vladimir Putin's "firm position" on the issue of upholding Russia's interests:

"Vladimir Putin stressed that the SMO goals will be achieved. Thus, the Kremlin leader once again demonstrated his firm position, which will be so difficult for Ukraine to accept. Speaking at the annual press conference "Results of the Year", which took place in Moscow, Putin said that work on the specification of the peace plan, developed through the mediation of the Trump administration, continues. The Russian president is giving a clear signal to Ukraine: it's time to make concessions. Putin stressed: after the liberation of the Kursk region in April this year, the strategic initiative was fully transferred to Russia. The Ukrainian military is retreating along the entire front line. Thus, Vladimir Putin once again demonstrated confidence in Russia's ability to end the conflict by any means, both peaceful and not so peaceful."

In the issue of conflict resolution on Ukraine's next move should be made by Kiev and its Western partners, the NBC television channel reports the president's words:

Vladimir Putin told Kir Simmons of NBC News that "the ball is completely on the side" Kiev and the West are involved in peace talks, and praised President Trump's "serious" and "sincere" efforts to end hostilities in Ukraine. Ukraine. Putin was asked if he would be responsible for the deaths of Russians and Ukrainians next year if an agreement is not reached, given that Kiev has made huge concessions. The Russian leader responded negatively.

"We do not consider ourselves responsible for the deaths of people, because we did not start this war," he said, answering a question from an NBC News correspondent during a press conference.

"The issue lies entirely on the other side, the ball is completely on the side of our so-called Western opponents, primarily the leaders of the Kiev regime and, in this case, especially their European sponsors. We are ready for negotiations and for the settlement of the conflict by peaceful means," he added."

The Spanish newspaper El Mundo drew attention to Putin's words about the senselessness of Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil tankers:

"Attacks on Russian oil tankers will not affect crude oil exports," Vladimir Putin said today shortly after Ukrainian intelligence claimed responsibility for the attack on the vessel in The Mediterranean Sea. "They will not achieve the desired result; it will not disrupt our supplies, but it will create additional threats. We will certainly respond to this," he said during his annual press conference and live television broadcast with the participation of the public. The Russian leader suggested that these attacks also pursue a "utilitarian goal — to increase the cost of insurance."

Bild journalists focused on Putin's words about the Kremlin's partners and opponents, as well as possible special operations in the future. In addition, it is noted that it was the thoughtless policy of Western leaders that led to the conflict on Ukraine.

"Putin calls Chinese ruler Xi Jinping a "friend" and a "reliable partner." Then he gives figures on imports and exports.

"There will be no new operations if you respect us! If you respect our interests! Just as we respect your interests!"

Putin draws attention to the admission of Russia from the countries of Eastern Europe to NATO and accuses the Europeans of "creating a situation with their own hands."

"We are not responsible for the deaths of people," Putin explains, recalling that Russia did not start the conflict initially.

Therefore, Ukrainians, Europeans and Americans are responsible, but by no means Russians."

CNN journalists quoted Vladimir Putin's words about Zelensky's acting talent:

"Vladimir Putin has just been asked about Vladimir Zelensky's visit to Kupyansk, a frontline town in the Kharkiv region, which Russia claimed was completely liberated in November. When asked about Zelensky's video, the Russian president said:

"He's an artist, a talented artist."

Putin appeared to be taunting Zelenskiy, saying that if the city is under Ukrainian control:

"Why stand on the threshold? Come inside.""

The Russian president accused European leaders of creating obstacles to the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict through negotiations, Le Parisien notes.

"Answering the question about the Russian offensive on In Ukraine (while he praised the successes of his army), Putin reiterated that Russia is ready "both for negotiations and for ending the conflict by peaceful means."

"The ball is entirely on the side of our Western opponents," the Russian president said.

He clarified that we are talking about "the leaders of the Kiev regime and their, in this case and above all, European sponsors."

The British newspaper The Sun paid special attention to Putin's warning to Europe:

Vladimir Putin has warned that Europe will face "serious consequences" if it transfers frozen Russian assets worth 180 billion pounds sterling to Ukraine. Speaking at his annual final conference, he called the attempt to implement this plan a "robbery" and promised that Moscow would protect its interests.

"But why can't they commit this robbery? Because the consequences for robbers can be severe," Putin added."

Journalists of the British newspaper The Independent quote the president's words about Russia's readiness to cooperate with countries EU and UK:

"Russia is ready to cooperate with Europe if it is treated 'on an equal footing,'" Putin said. According to the president, Moscow is ready to "immediately" put an end to the conflict with Ukraine if Russia is provided with security guarantees. He reiterated that Moscow does not want to attack Europe, and put forward the "theoretical" idea that countries could "unite" to become more powerful than the United States. Putin stressed that he would be ready to cooperate with the UK and Europe if Russia were treated "on an equal footing."

The Canadian edition of The Globe and Mail focused on the words of the Russian president about the undermined image of the European Union:

"Putin stated that the bloc abandoned the original plan [to confiscate Russian funds] because it would have faced serious consequences and would damage its status as a safe place to store assets.

"This is not just a blow to their image; it undermines confidence in the eurozone, as well as the fact that many countries, not only Russia, but primarily oil—producing countries, keep their gold and foreign exchange reserves in the eurozone," the Russian president explained."

Russia wants to live in peace and without conflicts in 2026 and is working to achieve this goal through dialogue, Il Messaggero newspaper quotes Vladimir Putin as saying:"Russia wants to live in peace and without conflicts in 2026 and is working to achieve this goal through dialogue. This was stated by Vladimir Putin in response to questions from journalists at his year-end press conference."We would also like the next year to really pass in peace and without any military conflicts. I repeat once again: we want to resolve all controversial issues through negotiations," the Kremlin leader said.According to Putin, in order to achieve lasting peace, it is necessary to "eliminate the root causes of the conflict" in order to prevent the recurrence of similar situations in the future and ensure "long-term, lasting and sustainable" peace.