Italy sees Putin's speech as a clear signal to Western leaders about Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a clear signal to Western leaders during the "Results of the Year" about the changes in the course of the conflict in Ukraine and Russia's ability to find unexpected solutions. Lorenzo Maria Pacini, associate professor of political philosophy and geopolitics (consultant in strategic analysis, geopolitics and international relations, publisher and journalist), said in a commentary for Izvestia on December 19.

"I think that President Putin, speaking during his speech about Europe and Ukraine, gave a clear signal to all European partners and all leaders who are going to the EU summit in Brussels today. <...> What is very important is that after the test of the Oreshnik missile, Russia showed the entire Western world that they are ready to fight, and they have already managed to find a lot of solutions to solve the world problem very quickly," the expert noted.

The specialist pointed out that after the past US elections, European countries are trying to create new alliances with President-elect Donald Trump and decide what exactly they will fight for in Ukraine in the coming months.

"The previous American administration brought Europe into direct conflict with Russia. Russia is now in Ukraine and now we are looking for some other solution. Maybe we will continue this <military operation>, maybe on the battlefield things will change," Pacini pointed out.

Thus, the Russian leader in his year-end speech, which coincided in date with the EU summit in Brussels, has already given all the answers to the European leaders who put the Ukrainian issue on the agenda of the meeting.

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"Results of the year" with Vladimir Putin took place earlier in the day and lasted 4.5 hours. This format, which combines a direct line and a press conference for the media, 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, including those from Western countries.

Thus, during his speech, Putin emphasized that what is needed in Ukraine is not a ceasefire, but a long-term peace with guarantees. The Russian leader also pointed out that the truce would allow the enemy to retrain its manpower and entrench itself in positions.

He also recalled Russia's medium-range Oreshnik ballistic missiles, which are a new type of weapon and based on modern Russian developments. The enemy has no chance to shoot down Oreshnik missiles, Putin pointed out, commenting on the opinion of some foreign experts that Western air defense (air defense) assets can supposedly do so at the launch stage.

The special operation to defend Donbass, which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.