Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday there would be no peace in Ukraine until the Kremlin realizes its goals, which remain unchanged after nearly two years of fighting that has sent tensions soaring between Moscow and the West.
Quick Read
- Putin’s Stance on Ukraine Conflict: Putin declared that peace in Ukraine would only be achieved once Russia’s goals are met, emphasizing a commitment to their “special military operation.”
- Russian Troop Presence: Putin disclosed that about 617,000 Russian soldiers are in Ukraine, including 244,000 reservists, dismissing the need for a second wave of mobilization.
- Impeachment Inquiry Endurance: The authorization of the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden ensures it will continue well into 2024, potentially affecting Biden’s reelection campaign and showdown with Trump.
- House Vote on Inquiry: The House voted along party lines (221-212) to authorize the impeachment inquiry into President Biden, mainly focusing on his family’s business dealings.
- Biden’s Criticism of Inquiry: President Biden criticized the inquiry as a political stunt, accusing House Republicans of prioritizing attacks over urgent national work.
- No Evidence Against Biden: The inquiry has yet to find evidence of Biden’s wrongdoing or corrupt actions related to his son Hunter’s foreign business dealings.
- GOP’s Inquiry Justification: Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, argue the necessity of the inquiry despite lack of evidence, citing “evidentiary record.”
- Democratic Opposition: House Democrats uniformly criticized the inquiry as a baseless political stunt meant to avenge Trump’s impeachments.
- Hunter Biden’s Defiance: Hunter Biden refused to testify privately, offering to do so publicly, and denied financial involvement of his father in his business affairs.
- Contempt of Congress Threat: House Republicans plan to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against Hunter Biden for non-compliance with the subpoena.
- House Republicans’ Viewpoint: Some GOP members see the inquiry as a fact-finding mission, despite reservations about moving forward with impeachment.
- GOP Allegations: Republicans allege potential profiteering by the Biden family during Joe Biden’s vice presidency, focusing on Hunter’s dealings in Ukraine and China.
- White House Dismissal: The White House has dismissed the inquiry as unsubstantiated and politically motivated, focusing on the 2024 election.
- Impeachment’s Unlikelihood: The likelihood of Biden’s impeachment leading to removal from office is low, given the Democratic majority in the Senate.
- Political Strategy: The inquiry could allow Republicans to keep their allegations in the spotlight throughout the 2024 campaign season.
The Associated Press has the story:
Putin says there will be no peace in Ukraine until his goals are achieved
Newslooks- MOSCOW (AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday there would be no peace in Ukraine until the Kremlin realizes its goals, which remain unchanged after nearly two years of fighting that has sent tensions soaring between Moscow and the West.
Speaking at a year-end news conference that offered him an opportunity to reinforce his grip on power, Putin gave some rare details on what Moscow calls its “special military operation.”
He dismissed the need for a second wave of mobilization of reservists to fight in Ukraine — a move that has been deeply unpopular. He said there are some 617,000 Russian soldiers there, including around 244,000 troops who were called up to fight alongside professional military forces.
“There will be peace when we will achieve our goals,” Putin said, repeating a frequent Kremlin line. “Victory will be ours.”
Putin, who has held power for nearly 24 years and announced last week he is running for reelection, was greeted with applause as he arrived in the hall in central Moscow. He didn’t hold his traditional press conference last year after his military failed to take Kyiv and as the Ukrainian army retook territory in the east and south of the country.
But with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy now forced to plead for more U.S aid, a stalling counteroffensive and reports of fracturing Western support for Kyiv, he decided to face the media once more — although the session is heavily choreographed and is more about spectacle than scrutiny.
This year, ordinary citizens had the chance to phone in questions along with those from journalists, and Russian state media said at least 2 million questions for Putin had been submitted ahead of time.
It is the first time Putin, who has heavily limited his interaction with foreign media, faced questions from Western journalists since the fighting in Ukraine began.
The news conference opened with questions about Ukraine and highlighted concerns some Russians have about another wave of mobilization.
“There is no need” for mobilization now, Putin said, because 1,500 men are being recruited into the army every day. As of Wednesday evening, 486,000 soldiers have signed a contract with the Russian military, he said.
Putin’s remarks about another wave of mobilization were met with skepticism by some independent Russian media, which pointed out that he had promised not to draft reservists for Ukraine and then reversed course and ordered a “partial” call-up.
The move, which he announced in September 2022, prompted thousands of Russians to leave the country.
He reiterated that Moscow’s goals in Ukraine — “de-Nazification, de-militarization and a neutral status” of Ukraine — remain unchanged. He had spelled out those loosely defined objectives the day he sent troops into its neighbor in February 2022.
The claim of “de-Nazification” refers to Russia’s allegations that Ukraine’s government is heavily influenced by radical nationalist and neo-Nazi groups — an allegation derided by Kyiv and the West.
Putin has also demanded that Ukraine remain neutral and refrain from joining NATO.
Putin’s last news conference was in 2021 amid U.S warnings that Russia was on the brink of sending troops into Ukraine. He delayed his annual state-of-the-nation address until February of this year.
Relations since then between Russia and the U.S. have plunged to new lows as the conflict has continued and after Moscow detained U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich while on a reporting trip to Russia in March.
Shortly before Putin spoke, a Russian court ruled that Gershkovich, 32, must stay behind bars until at least Jan. 30.
U.S citizen Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan, also has been jailed in Russia since his 2018 arrest on espionage-related charges.
Russia recently rejected an offer to bring home Gershkovich and Whelan, who both have been declared wrongfully detained by the U.S. government.
“We’re not refusing to return them,” Putin said Thursday, adding that he wanted to reach an agreement but “it’s not easy.”
He refused to go into details of any exchange but said Washington “must hear us” and make an offer that satisfies Russia.
Putin appeared calm and relaxed during the news conference, although he frequently cleared his throat — blaming the air conditioning. His appearance is primarily aimed at a domestic audience and is a chance for him to appear personally involved in resolving the problems of ordinary Russians and reinforce his authority ahead of the March 17 election.
During a question about the cost of toll roads, Putin took notes and gave the impression he was doing sums in a notebook.
He also fielded questions from a group of children in Russian-annexed Crimea about the leaking roof and mold in their sports hall and a woman who addressed “my favorite president” to complain about the soaring price of eggs.
“I regret and apologize about that. A glitch in the work of the government,” Putin replied, explaining that egg production has not matched demand and blaming the government for not increasing imports quickly enough.
Although the news conference is heavily choreographed, some questions — which Putin didn’t answer — appeared to slip through the net, appearing on screens around the hall.
“Mr. President, when will the real Russia be the same as the one on TV?” one text message said, apparently referring to the Kremlin’s control over the media that portrays Putin in a positive light, glosses over the country’s problems and highlights its achievements.
Another read: “I’d like to know, when will our president pay attention to his own country? We’ve got no education, no health care. The abyss lies ahead.”
Putin was asked by an artificial intelligence version of himself, speaking with his face and voice, on whether he uses body doubles — a subject of intense speculation by some Kremlin watchers. Putin brushed off the suggestion.
“Only one person should look like myself and talk in my voice — that person is going to be me,” he said, deadpanning: “By the way, this is my first double.”
Journalists lined up in freezing temperatures to get into the venue hours before Putin’s arrival and some donned traditional dress, including elaborate hats to catch his attention. Many journalists also held placards, prompting the Kremlin to limit their size.
Attendees were tested for COVID-19 and flu before entering the site. Putin enforced strict quarantine for visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
