The Russian president states that Ukraine is not prepared to address the territorial issue
Putin accuses NATO of constantly lying to Russia about its expansionist aspirations
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Friday that the EU’s “robbery” of its frozen assets will not only damage Europe’s image but could also destabilize the global financial system.
Putin stated that the EU’s maneuver to seize frozen Russian funds and hand them over to Ukraine goes beyond mere theft, as this “is a secret appropriation of property,” and in this case, “they are doing it openly.”
“This is robbery,” he said during a press conference and public event to review the year. “In addition to reputational damage, it could lead to direct losses to the foundations of the current financial order,” the Russian leader warned, emphasizing that they will go to court to defend their interests.
In this regard, the Russian president assured that many countries, “primarily oil producers,” are already concerned about the integrity of their gold and foreign exchange reserves deposited in eurozone banks. “Seeing what is happening, suspicions and doubts are already arising,” he said.
The EU and the G7 have confiscated Russian assets worth approximately 300 billion euros since this phase of the war in Ukraine began in February 2022, of which around 200 billion are located in Europe.
ACCUSES UKRAINE OF NOT WANTING A PEACEFUL SOLUTION
Regarding the situation on the front lines, Putin reiterated that they are willing to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the war, provided that “the root causes of the conflict” are taken into account, a premise that the Kremlin has insisted upon to justify its invasion nearly four years ago. Putin stated that Ukraine is not prepared to address the territorial issue and regretted that, despite acknowledging some willingness at times, the other side refuses to end the war peacefully, even though it has increasingly limited military capabilities.
“The enemy has suffered very serious losses in its strategic reserves; it practically has none left,” and this “should encourage the Ukrainian regime to resolve all its problems and end this conflict through peaceful means,” the Russian president said, according to state news agencies.
“We would also very much like to live in conditions of peace and without military conflicts next year,” said Putin, who also expressed gratitude to his US counterpart, Donald Trump, for the “sincere efforts” he has been making to achieve this goal.
Putin also highlighted that they welcomed many of the proposals that the US side put forward during the August summit in Anchorage, Alaska. “For us, these would be difficult decisions, but we agreed with the commitments that were proposed to us,” he assured.
In short, he stated that everything now depends on Ukraine and its partners. “The ball is entirely in the court” of the West, especially that of the “leaders of the Kyiv regime and their European sponsors,” he said, criticizing them for spreading the theory that Russia is seeking a war on the continent.
“It’s nonsense,” said Putin, for whom this rhetoric is nothing more than a way for current European leaders to demonize Russia and cover up the “mistakes” that many of them have “systematically” committed for years in their own countries.
RUSSIA FEELS “DECEIVED” BY NATO
In contrast, Putin criticized NATO’s role in this conflict and recalled that it has “deceived” Russia several times regarding its expansionist aspirations. “The promises they made to us are being ignored. They have lied to us once again,” the president reproached. Putin emphasized that these expansionist “waves” eastward are a source of “legitimate concern” for Moscow, which has seen up to sixteen countries join NATO since 1999, including Finland and Sweden, who broke with years of historical neutrality to join the Alliance in March and April 2023.
“We are not saying that any country does not have the right to choose its own method of defense. But it must be a method that does not threaten anyone, including us… we simply insist that the promises made to us be kept and that our Western partners fulfill their obligations,” he stressed.
He also stated that Russia is willing to cooperate with Western countries – “everyone will benefit,” he noted – provided that it is based on a relationship of equality and mutual respect.
