2023-12-14 12:23:00
(CNN) — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that if Ukraine does not relent and accept Russia’s terms for peace, Moscow will have to “resolve the problem by force.”
“Either we agreed on demilitarization, we agreed on certain parameters and, by the way, during the negotiations in Istanbul we agreed on them, but then they threw these agreements overboard, but we had already agreed on them. Or there are other possibilities either to reach an agreement or to resolve it through the use of force. This is what we will strive for,” Putin said at the annual end-of-year press conference.
“Today Ukraine produces almost nothing (weapons). They try to conserve something, but they produce almost nothing. They get everything, sorry for the bad manners, for free. But these gifts can run out any day. And apparently they’re running out,” she said.
He also asserted that the objectives of the so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine have not changed and spoke again of “demilitarization and denazification” of Ukraine.
In his speech he also spoke about “significant advances on almost all” the battle fronts in Ukraine.
“Almost along the entire line of contact, our Armed Forces, let’s say modestly, are improving their position. Almost everyone is in an active stage of action. The position of our troops is improving at all times,” he stressed.
“It’s a civil war between brothers”
Putin also compared the current Russian invasion of Ukraine to a “civil war” and emphasized the long-term historical ties between Russians and Ukrainians.
“Russians and Ukrainians are essentially one people. And what is happening now is an enormous tragedy, similar to a civil war between brothers, when brothers found themselves on opposite sides,” he said.
Regarding military recruitment, he stated that 486,000 people have already been recruited by the Russian army under contract this year.
“As of yesterday afternoon, I was informed, 486 thousand people have already been recruited and the flow of our men who are ready to defend the interests of our Homeland is not drying up. About fifteen hundred join the army every day throughout the country’s territory,” he asserted.
According to Putin, given the number of people enlisting in the army, there is no need for a new wave of mobilization. He added that there are currently around 244,000 mobilized on the ground in Ukraine and around 41,000 were dismissed for various reasons, including old age and health.
“By the way, at first there was a lot of irony, all kinds of laughter about this. They gave these people a name: ‘mobiks’. I remember everything perfectly. The guys fight very well, just great. Now there are Among those mobilized are 14 heroes of the Russian Federation. I’m not even talking about other medals and orders of other denominations,” he concluded.
Putin compares the war in Ukraine with that in Gaza
The president made a distinction between the war in Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas, saying the situation in Gaza is much worse for civilians.
“Look at the special military operation and what is happening in Gaza. And notice the difference. Well, there is nothing like it in Ukraine,” she said.
Putin also revealed that he is in contact with Egypt about the situation in Gaza. He mentioned discussing the possibility of opening a Russian hospital to help victims in Gaza with the leaders of Egypt and Israel. However, Putin emphasized that, for the moment, it is considered unsafe to continue with such an initiative.
“The Emirati side created a field hospital there in Gaza (…) and we talked about the fact that Russia could also open a hospital there, in the stadium. But for this, of course, we need the consent of both Egypt and of Israel.” Putin said.
Putin also announced that Russia will increase the supply of equipment and medicine to Gaza at Israel’s request.
As for diplomatic efforts, Putin said he is in constant contact with Turkish President Erdogan about the Gaza situation, noting that their views on the conflict are “similar.”
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