MOSCOW, Dec 20: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will not launch any new wars after Ukraine if other countries show respect for Moscow and its interests. He rejected claims that Russia plans to attack European nations, calling such fears baseless, the BBC reported.
Speaking during a lengthy televised question and answer session, Putin responded to a question from BBC journalist Steve Rosenberg about the possibility of new “special military operations,” the term Moscow uses for its invasion of Ukraine. Putin said Russia would not resort to force if it felt its interests were treated fairly, according to the BBC.
Putin repeated his long-standing complaint that Western countries, particularly Nato, failed to honor past commitments made to Moscow. He claimed Russia had been misled over Nato’s expansion eastward after the Cold War and said there would be no further Russian military action if such actions were not repeated.
Sugarless treats
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has denied that any binding promise was made in 1990, but Putin has continued to raise the issue as a key grievance in his dealings with the West, the BBC noted.
The remarks came during the annual “Direct Line” event, a tightly managed broadcast that mixes questions from citizens and journalists. Putin spoke for more than four hours while seated beneath a massive map of Russia that included territories of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces, such as Crimea. State television said millions of questions had been sent in. Despite the controlled format, some public comments shown on screen criticized the event, complained about poor public services, and questioned internet disruptions blamed by authorities on Ukrainian drone activity, the BBC stated.
Only hours after the broadcast ended, Ukrainian officials said a Russian missile strike on the Odesa region killed seven people and injured at least 15 others.
The attack underlined how the war, which began in February 2022, continues to shape daily life and politics on both sides. Throughout the program, the conflict remained a constant backdrop, even when questions focused on domestic concerns, the BBC reported.
Putin also addressed economic pressures at home, including rising prices, slowing growth, and an increase in value added tax from 20 to 22 percent starting January 1. Viewers complained about the cost of living, while the Kremlin pointed to signs of stability.
As Putin spoke, Russia’s central bank announced a cut in interest rates to 16 percent. On Ukraine, he again said he was open to a peaceful end to the war but repeated demands that Kyiv withdraw from four partially occupied regions and abandon its Nato ambitions, offering little indication of flexibility, according to the BBC.
