In a wide-ranging annual press conference on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his willingness to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump “anytime” to negotiate a peace deal for Ukraine. Putin’s remarks come amid escalating fears in Kyiv that a Trump-brokered peace could tilt in Moscow’s favor.

Putin, 72, acknowledged that he had not spoken to Trump in over four years but welcomed the possibility of dialogue. “I am ready for it, of course, anytime,” he said. “If we ever have a meeting with President-elect Trump, I am sure we’ll have a lot to talk about.” He emphasized Russia’s openness to “negotiations and compromises” while reiterating his troops’ military advantages on the battlefield.

Ukraine Conflict and Kursk Offensive
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a critical issue. Russian forces have been advancing in the eastern regions for months, yet challenges persist. Residents from the western Kursk region, displaced by a Ukrainian counteroffensive in August, remain unable to return to their homes.

Addressing concerns from a local resident, Putin admitted he could not provide a timeline for reclaiming the region. “We will absolutely kick them out. It can’t be any other way. But the question of a specific date, I cannot say right now,” he said.

Economic Pressures and Inflation
Putin faced tough questions about Russia’s economy, strained by rising military expenditures and labor shortages driven by the conflict. Despite these challenges, he maintained that the economic situation was “stable, despite external threats,” citing low unemployment and industrial growth.

However, inflation remains a growing concern. Putin admitted that price increases for staples like butter and meat were “unpleasant” and criticized the central bank for focusing solely on raising interest rates rather than implementing broader measures to address inflation.

Hypersonic Missile Threat
Putin reiterated Russia’s military capabilities, including its new hypersonic ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, during the press event. In a provocative statement, he proposed a “hi-tech duel” to test the missile’s efficacy against Western air defenses, suggesting Kyiv as a hypothetical target.

“Let them set some target to be hit, let’s say in Kyiv. They will concentrate all their air defenses there. And we will launch an Oreshnik strike to see what happens,” Putin proposed, underscoring the missile’s alleged invulnerability.

Security Lapses and High-Profile Assassination
The Russian leader also addressed the recent assassination of General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s chemical weapons unit, in Moscow. The general was killed by a bomb planted in a scooter, an attack Putin labeled “terrorism.” The Kremlin has since arrested the suspected perpetrator, but Putin criticized the security services for repeated lapses.

“Our special services are missing these hits,” he said, listing other recent incidents. “We must not allow such very serious blunders to happen.”

On Syria and Assad’s Fall
Putin rejected claims that the fall of ex-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad marked a defeat for Russia. “You want to present what is happening in Syria as a defeat for Russia. I assure you it is not,” he said, emphasizing that Russia’s intervention 10 years ago prevented the creation of a terrorist enclave similar to Afghanistan.

Although Assad fled to Moscow as rebels closed in on Damascus, Putin stated he had not yet met with the former Syrian leader but planned to do so soon.

He also criticized Israel, labeling it the “main beneficiary” of developments in Syria and urging the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Syrian territory.

Looking Ahead
Putin’s annual press conference, known for its lengthy format, is a carefully staged event that offers a rare glimpse into the Kremlin leader’s views on domestic and international affairs. His comments on Trump, Ukraine, and Russia’s broader geopolitical ambitions highlight the ongoing complexities in Eastern Europe and beyond as global powers prepare for potential new alignments in 2024.