Russian President Vladimir Putin utilized his marathon annual “Direct Line” forum to deliver a stark message to Western nations: Russia would cease military operations against Ukraine and refrain from future conflicts only if treated with “respect” by the international community. During the nearly four-and-a-half-hour televised event, Putin dismissed claims that Moscow plans to attack European nations as “nonsense,” while simultaneously asserting Russia’s readiness for immediate warfare if provoked.
The Russian leader framed his conditions for peace around historical grievances, particularly referencing NATO’s eastward expansion which he characterized as Western “deception.” His demands for ending the Ukraine conflict remain unchanged from his June 2024 principles: complete Ukrainian withdrawal from four partially occupied regions and Kyiv’s abandonment of NATO aspirations. Central to Moscow’s objectives is securing full control over Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, including approximately 23% of Donetsk that remains beyond Russian control.
While expressing willingness to engage in peace negotiations, Putin offered minimal signs of compromise. He praised former President Donald Trump’s “sincere” mediation efforts but placed responsibility for diplomatic progress squarely on Western powers and their “Kyiv regime” allies. The Russian president accused the West of waging war “through Ukrainian neo-Nazis,” recycling familiar propaganda tropes about Ukraine’s democratically elected leadership.
The event, which organizers claimed received over three million submissions, primarily featured softball questions though some critical public comments surfaced. Citizens complained about internet outages blamed on Ukrainian drone attacks, skyrocketing prices, and poor infrastructure. Putin addressed economic concerns as Russia’s central bank announced interest rate cuts to 16% amid rising VAT and inflation.
International context continues to develop with a Ukrainian delegation engaging Trump representatives in Miami, while European intelligence agencies warn of potential NATO-Russia conflict within years. Despite the diplomatic movements, Putin’s rhetoric suggests Moscow remains prepared for prolonged confrontation, maintaining that Western respect for Russian interests represents the only path to de-escalation.