Putin recalled Russia's readiness to negotiate with Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the "Results of the Year" that Russia is ready for negotiations with Ukraine.

"Politics is the art of compromise, and we have always said that we are ready for both negotiations and compromise. It's just that the opposing side in the literal and figurative sense of the word, the opposing side refused to negotiate. <...> We are ready, but it is necessary for that side to be ready for negotiations and compromise," the president said.

The Russian leader recalled that at the end of 2022 in Istanbul, the two sides had essentially already reached agreements. At that time, the Ukrainian side "initialed the document," which means that it was in agreement with it, but later abandoned it.

"Why [it refused] is clear, because your ally, Mr. [former British Prime Minister Boris] Johnson <...> came and said that they need to fight to the last Ukrainian. So there they are fighting, and soon they will run out of these Ukrainians who want to fight. I think there will soon be no one left there who wants to fight," Putin concluded in response to a question from an American journalist.

On the essence of cases: over 1.6 million questions received on a direct line with Putin

In what format it will be held this time and what citizens are most concerned about

On June 14, Putin said that Russia has always sought peace and is ready to sit down at the negotiating table even tomorrow. This will become possible when Kiev withdraws its troops from Russian regions and officially renounces its intentions to integrate into NATO, he pointed out. However, if Kiev and the West refuse, the responsibility for the ongoing conflict lies solely on them, the Russian leader added.

The direct line with Vladimir Putin in 2024 is combined with a press conference for the media. The format called "The Year's Results with Vladimir Putin" allows the president to convey his position not only on citizens' issues, but also on the state and world agenda, which is often asked about by journalists.

Representatives of Western media and foreign journalists accredited in Russia have also received invitations to the events. As of the morning of December 19, the number of requests sent to the direct line with the president exceeded 2 million.

The first live broadcast was held in December 2001. By the President's own admission, this event is the most powerful sociological poll, which allows citizens to convey their position and assessment of the country's leadership.

The latest news about the "Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin - 2024" - in the Izvestia story.