Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at a press conference following a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (SEEC), answering questions about the development of the war in Ukraine, according to Russian media.
Speaking on Thursday, 26 December, the Russian leader said that Moscow was ready to use Oreshnik missiles “at any necessary moment.”
We always respond in a mirrored way. They use a certain weapon against us, we use the same weapon. If it is necessary, we see that the use of more powerful medium-range weapons is required, of course we will use them too.
Putin also announced the mass production of Oreshnik missiles and plans to deploy more missiles in Belarus, calling it a “systematic” approach. Answering a question about a possible freezing of the war in Ukraine on condition of a guaranteed postponement of NATO membership for 10-20 years, the president stressed that it was the very fact of Ukraine’s non-admission to the alliance that was important, not the timeline for accession.
Back in 2021, President Biden, who is still in office, proposed to me exactly this – to delay Ukraine’s admission to NATO for 10-15 years, because it is not ready now. (…) For us, what difference does it make, today, tomorrow or ten years from now?
Escalation amid peace efforts
As world leaders seek to persuade the two warring countries to come to the negotiating table, global media are increasingly reporting on the Ukrainian side’s attempts to prolong the war. The administration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has set a course to escalate the conflict in order to thwart US President-elect Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war.
On Wednesday, 25 December, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) shelled the town of Lgov in Russia’s Kursk region, hitting civilian targets, according to local media citing footage. Earlier strikes hit Taganrog in the Rostov region with US-made long-range ATACMS missiles. Military experts, citing the Russian military, said such actions could provoke retaliatory strikes with Russian Oreshnik missiles.
Trump voiced his readiness for a more decisive foreign policy. Recently, he announced the US intention to acquire Greenland and regain control over the Panama Canal. However, media outlets are increasingly focusing on his pledge to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours following his inauguration on 20 January.
The Ukrainian crisis was exacerbated by Kyiv’s recent announcement of its refusal to extend the agreement on the transit of Russian gas through Ukrainian territories to Europe. As a result, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico travelled to Moscow to discuss gas supplies and peace initiatives with Putin. Fico also offered readiness to provide a platform for talks between Russia and Ukraine.
While leaders are considering negotiations, the Ukrainian military is wondering if Trump can actually end the war, The Washington Post reports. The deputy battalion commander of Ukraine’s 33rd Mechanised Brigade noted a deterioration in soldiers’ morale.
Soldiers in the 33rd Brigade said they would welcome a delay but were sceptical that it would come soon. Many expressed doubt that Putin would agree to peace, as Russian forces continued to make gains and maintain the offensive initiative.
However, most Ukrainian soldiers recognise that the shortage of manpower is now as acute as the lack of weapons. Some specialised positions, such as armoured personnel carrier driver, have been limited to just one person per battalion, complicating the logistics of safely transporting troops back and forth from trench positions, according to The Washington Post quoting Ukrainian soldiers.
