Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to send a crucial signal to the United States and European powers on Friday about his willingness for peace—or continued conflict—in Ukraine, as he addresses the nation in his traditional year-end news conference and public call-in programme.
The event, known as “Results of the Year,” is scheduled to begin at 0900 GMT and will see Putin field dozens of questions from journalists and citizens across Russia. Held in various formats almost every year since 2001, the marathon session typically spans several hours and covers issues ranging from domestic prices and social welfare to foreign policy, nuclear weapons, and what the Kremlin continues to describe as its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, following nearly eight years of fighting in the country’s eastern regions. The conflict has since escalated into the largest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the Cold War, reshaping global geopolitics and triggering sweeping sanctions against Russia.
The timing of Putin’s appearance is significant. US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly said he wants to be remembered as a peacemaker, has voiced frustration over the difficulty of ending the Ukraine war—one of the most complex foreign policy challenges facing his administration. European leaders, meanwhile, are watching closely for any indication of Moscow’s intentions as the battlefield situation continues to evolve.
At stake is whether Putin will signal openness to negotiations, how much influence European powers may have in any future peace process, and whether a US-brokered deal—should it materialise—would be acceptable to Moscow. Ukraine and its European allies remain concerned that Washington could strike a deal with Russia that leaves Kyiv weakened and Europe bearing the long-term financial and security burden of rebuilding a war-torn Ukraine.
According to Western assessments, Russian forces advanced between 12 and 17 square kilometres per day during 2025, intensifying fears in Europe about the sustainability of Ukraine’s defence. European capitals echo former US President Joe Biden’s stance that Russia’s invasion represents an imperial-style land grab that must be resisted—an interpretation Trump has publicly questioned.
Putin, who has been Russia’s paramount leader since the last day of 1999, frames the conflict as a defining moment in relations with the West. He has repeatedly argued that NATO’s eastward expansion after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 humiliated Russia and encroached upon what he views as Moscow’s rightful sphere of influence.
An end to the war could have far-reaching consequences. It may reopen channels between Russia and the United States at a time when Washington is increasingly focused on strategic competition with China—a country with which Putin has declared a “no limits” partnership. Russia, rich in natural resources ranging from oil and gas to diamonds and rare earths, could seek economic reintegration if hostilities cease.
Conversely, a prolonged conflict would likely mean more deaths, continued economic strain on Russia, Ukraine, and Europe, and a heightened risk of escalation. US officials estimate that more than two million people have been killed or wounded since the war began, though neither Moscow nor Kyiv publishes verified casualty figures.
With global attention firmly fixed on Moscow, Putin’s words on Friday are expected to be closely analysed for any hint of whether the Kremlin is prepared to shift course—or double down—on a war that has already reshaped Europe’s security landscape.