Staff Report
Moscow: President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin answered questions from journalists and citizens during the 2025 Year-End Conference, addressing key economic indicators, international security, relations with Europe and the United States, and prospects for peace.
President Putin stated that Russia’s GDP growth in 2025 stood at 1 percent, while cumulative growth over the past three years reached 9.7 percent, significantly outpacing the eurozone’s 3.1 percent growth over the same period. He noted that the slower pace in the current year reflects a conscious policy choice aimed at preserving economic stability, quality growth, and sound macroeconomic fundamentals.
Commenting on attempts by European institutions to seize Russian assets, the President described such actions as open “robbery” rather than theft, warning that their consequences could undermine not only reputations but also the foundations of the global financial system. He stressed that any seized assets would ultimately have to be returned and that Russia would defend its interests primarily through legal means.
On the issue of Ukraine, President Putin rejected claims that Russia is refusing peace initiatives, calling them baseless. He reiterated Moscow’s readiness to make compromises and stated that the initiative now lies with the West, particularly the Kiev authorities and their European backers. Russia, he said, remains open to negotiations and a peaceful settlement.
The President emphasized the continued relevance of building a new, inclusive European security architecture. He recalled earlier proposals for a system without NATO expansion that would involve the United States, Eastern Europe, and Russia without threats or exclusions. While affirming states’ right to choose their means of defence, he underlined that such choices must not endanger others.
President Putin criticized European leaders for, in his words, masking years of economic and social policy failures by promoting the narrative of a “hostile Russia,” pointing to contradictions in Europe’s green agenda amid the reopening of coal plants and revival of nuclear power.
Addressing US politics, he recalled allegations of Russian interference in past US elections, noting they proved unfounded, while claiming that European political elites had intervened openly. He added that some European actors are hoping the 2026 US midterm elections will change the political balance and allow increased pressure on President Donald Trump.
The President noted that the combined GDP of Russia and Europe in purchasing power parity terms would exceed that of the United States, arguing that cooperation would bring greater prosperity than confrontation. He stressed that Russia is not fighting Europe, but rather Europe is confronting Russia through Ukrainian nationalists, and reiterated Moscow’s readiness to cease hostilities provided its long-term security is guaranteed.
Warning against any blockade of the Kaliningrad Region, President Putin said such actions would lead to unprecedented escalation and could expand the conflict into a large-scale armed confrontation.
He also expressed concern over what he described as aggressive rhetoric from NATO leadership, highlighting contradictions between NATO statements and the updated US National Security Strategy, which does not designate Russia as an enemy.
Concluding, President Putin stated that Russia is ready to work with the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States on the basis of equality and mutual respect, adding that such cooperation would benefit all sides.
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