Published: Dec 20, 2025, 12:34 IST | Updated: Dec 20, 2025, 12:34 IST
At his marathon year-end press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope for a settlement to end the war in Ukraine but emphasised that it is up to Ukraine and the West to propose a suitable plan. Putin also indicated Russia’s willingness to ease strikes to allow delayed Ukrainian elections and acknowledged economic difficulties from Western sanctions, while projecting optimism about the future.