An emboldened, confident Putin says there will be no peace in Ukraine until Russia's goals are met

[Coventina]

MOSCOW (AP) — Emboldened by battlefield gains and flagging Western support for Ukraine, a relaxed and confident President Vladimir Putin said Thursday there would be no peace until Russia achieves its goals, which he says remain unchanged after nearly two years of fighting.

It was Putin’s first formal news conference that Western media were allowed to attend since the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. The highly choreographed session, which lasted over four hours and included questions from ordinary Russians about things like the price of eggs and leaky gymnasium roofs, was more about spectacle than scrutiny.

But while using the show as an opportunity to reinforce his authority ahead of an election in March that he is all but certain to win, Putin also gave a few rare details on what Moscow calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine.

He said that a steady influx of volunteers means there is no need for a second wave of mobilization of reservists to fight in Ukraine — a move that was deeply unpopular. He said there are some 617,000 Russian soldiers there, including around 244,000 troops who were mobilized a year ago to fight alongside professional forces.

https://www.wbtw.com/news/world/ap-international/ap-putin-is-taking-questions-from-ordinary-russians-along-with-journalists-as-his-reelection-bid-begins/

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All I want for Christmas is Putin's death.

[Irish_Dem]

1. Putin is a psychopath who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

And if can't have it, he will burn it all down.

The same ting here in the US, the GOP/ Trump are like Putin.

[Lovie777]

5. Putin's path is world domination any means necessary............................

he does not care how many die, suffer, maim, and countries destroyed. He is the ultimate fake Christian where he even got the highest religious person on board, said person supports his lunacy.

Russians live in fear.

[Irish_Dem]

8. Yes Putin's goal, along with China, is to be the sole 21st century global superpowers.

They must take regional control over the US, Europe and the Pacific, which they are working on.

And they must tear down democracies.

Putin and Xi are having a few bumps in the road, but they will never give up.

They are actually doing quite well with their plans.
Installing their puppets into the US government is like taking candy from a baby.

[Caliman73]

2. Russia's goals already failed.

Part of why Russia invaded Ukraine was to send a message to NATO about "encroaching" on his borders. His actions have not only solidified the alliance but gained two new members for the organization, and consideration for allowing Ukraine to join as well.

Of course he is going to be "confident". What do people expect? Him to come out and say, "Yes, look we wanted to have this glorious, short little war and tell the world how strong we are. Instead we are stuck in a quagmire, have lost a bunch of our best troops, a lot of equipment, suffered significant financial losses, and almost had a coup. I am just not doing well here..."

Expecting anything less than "confidence and defiance" is like expecting Donald Trump to tell the truth.

[redqueen]

7. Yep, he's just saying what he has to to try to save face

No one is fooled.

Ok on edit he probably has MAGAT -like defenders who are, but no one outside that group

[Caliman73]

10. I often say...

The only people who are fooled are those who want to be fooled.

[Biophilic]

3. And the republicans are fully complicit in all this.

They support Putin's position, they are willing to de-fund democracy, and they are willing to destroy America's place in the world including our safety and well being. They truly have become the party of Putin and Trump. About as anti-American as you can get. And I just so friggin' angry about that.

[Vogon_Glory]

4. Russia's FSB investing in Republican politicians is

Paying big dividends for Vladimir Putin and other leaders of the Russian Federation.

[Irish_Dem]

6. Installing his puppets in the US government, cheap investment with high dividends.

And across Europe.

He effectively takes over democratic countries without firing a shot.
And in the US, the GOP and many Americans love Putin and are happy to become a Russian colony.

[C_U_L8R]

9. MAGA congressmen rushing home

to stash away their holiday bonuses from Vladdie Claus. Fa la la.