Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, following nearly eight years of simmering conflict in the country’s eastern regions. That decision dramatically escalated tensions and set off the largest and most consequential confrontation between Moscow and Western nations since the end of the Cold War, reshaping global geopolitics and security dynamics.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is now expected to signal his intentions regarding either a potential peace settlement or the continuation of the war when he addresses the public on Friday during his annual, hours-long end-of-year news conference. The speech is closely watched both inside Russia and internationally, as it often offers insight into the Kremlin’s strategic thinking and future direction.
US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly said he wants to be remembered as a peacemaker, has frequently expressed frustration that bringing an end to the war in Ukraine has remained one of the most difficult and unresolved challenges of his presidency. Despite repeated diplomatic efforts and public statements, a negotiated settlement has so far remained elusive.
Putin, who has been Russia’s dominant political figure since the final day of 1999, is scheduled to take part in a combined televised news conference and call-in programme with Russian citizens. The event, set to begin at 0900 GMT on Friday, is part of a long-standing tradition in which Putin responds directly to questions from journalists and the public.
During the “Results of the Year” session, which has been held in various formats almost annually since 2001, Putin typically answers dozens of wide-ranging questions. These cover domestic issues such as inflation, living standards and governance, as well as major international topics including nuclear weapons, relations with the West, and what the Kremlin officially refers to as the “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Even years after the COVID-19 pandemic subsided globally, strict health precautions remain in place for meetings involving Putin. Attendees at the event were required to undergo COVID testing, reflecting the continued security and health protocols surrounding the 73-year-old leader.
At stake is far more than a routine political address. Observers are watching closely to see whether Putin signals any willingness to end what has become the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two. The speech may also offer clues about how much influence European powers will retain in any future peace process and whether a potential US-brokered deal would be acceptable to Moscow.
Ukraine and its European allies are increasingly concerned that Trump could strike an agreement with Russia that sacrifices Ukrainian interests, leaving European countries responsible for financing and rebuilding a war-ravaged Ukraine. These fears are heightened by battlefield developments, with Russian forces reportedly advancing by an estimated 12 to 17 square kilometres per day during 2025.
European leaders largely share the view articulated by former US President Joe Biden, who described Russia’s invasion as an imperial-style land grab that must be met with firm consequences. Trump, however, has challenged that framing, arguing for a more pragmatic approach focused on ending the conflict rather than prolonging it through punishment.
On Friday, European Union leaders agreed on a plan to borrow funds to support Ukraine’s defence for the next two years. This decision avoided the politically divisive proposal of directly using frozen Russian sovereign assets to finance Kyiv, an idea that has split EU member states.
For Putin, the war represents a defining turning point in Russia’s relationship with the West. He has repeatedly argued that Western powers humiliated Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 by expanding NATO and encroaching on what he considers Russia’s rightful sphere of influence.
A negotiated end to the conflict could potentially reopen channels between Russia and the United States at a time when Washington is increasingly focused on strategic competition with China. Putin has deepened ties with Beijing, describing the Russia–China relationship as a partnership with “no limits,” adding another layer of complexity to global power politics.
If the war continues, the consequences are expected to be severe. Prolonged fighting would result in many more deaths, place enormous strain on the economies of Ukraine, Russia and European nations, and increase the risk of a wider escalation beyond Ukraine’s borders.
According to US officials, the combined number of casualties suffered by Russian and Ukrainian forces since the war began exceeds two million, including those killed and wounded. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv regularly releases transparent or verifiable figures for their losses, leaving the true human cost of the conflict difficult to assess.
