In a series of statements during his annual end-of-year press conference and the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (SEEC) meeting in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his unwavering confidence in achieving victory in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Addressing reporters on Thursday, Putin declared that Russia remains steadfast in its objectives, both on the battlefield and in broader strategic areas.

“God Is With Russia”

Asked whether he believes the conflict will end in 2025 with a Russian victory, Putin confidently stated, I believe in God. And God is with us. This sentiment underscores his resolute belief in Russias eventual triumph, aligning with his broader narrative of divine support for Moscows efforts.

The president dismissed reports of U.S. proposals to freeze the conflict along current front lines in exchange for delaying Ukraines NATO membership. We will be successful on the front line and accomplish our objectives, Putin said, reiterating Russias determination to achieve its military, economic, and social goals.

Military Strategy and the Use of Oreshnik

Putin also touched on Russias military capabilities, notably referencing the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). Characterized by its reported speed exceeding Mach 10 and multiple warheads containing submunitions, the missile is described by Ukrainian military sources as highly challenging to intercept. Putin stated that the missile could be deployed whenever deemed necessary, emphasizing Russias readiness to leverage its advanced arsenal.

Despite the tough rhetoric, Putin reiterated Russias openness to negotiations, provided they align with Moscows strategic interests. We do not need a truce; we need peace, long-term, secured by guarantees for the Russian Federation and its citizens, he said. Blaming Kyiv for backing out of a peace deal provisionally agreed upon in 2022, Putin framed Russia as the party prepared for compromise but hamstrung by Ukrainian reluctance.

We have always said that we are ready for negotiations and compromises, it’s just that the other side, both literally and figuratively, refused to negotiate… Soon, those Ukrainians who want to fight will run out, in my opinion, soon there will be no one left who wants to fight. We are ready, but the other side needs to be ready for both negotiations and compromises… We do not need a truce, we need peace, long-term, secured by guarantees for the Russian Federation and its citizens, said Putin as quoted by Reuters.

This years press conference, the longest since 2013 according to Russian media, saw Putin answer 76 questions. Addressing topics ranging from military strategy to economic resilience, he portrayed Russia as advancing steadily toward its objectives despite nearly two years of conflict and escalating tensions with the West.

Putins remarks signal a continuation of Russias hardline stance, with no signs of wavering from its core goals. His confidence in eventual victory and readiness to deploy advanced weaponry like the Oreshnik reflect a strategy of perseverance and calculated escalation. While offering a conditional path to peace, his insistence on long-term security guarantees suggests a protracted conflict unless a mutually agreeable resolution is reached.