Putin: No new wars if West treats Russia with respect
During a lengthy TV marathon, Vladimir Putin says Russia will not pursue new wars if the West treats Moscow with respect and mutual interests.
Russian President Vladimir Putin used a lengthy televised Q&A to outline his stance on war, diplomacy, and Russia's security. He said there would be no new large-scale operations if Moscow is treated with respect by the West and NATO.
What Putin said during the Direct Line Q&A
In the nearly four and a half hour broadcast from Moscow, Putin faced questions from the public and journalists, including INLIBER and NBC correspondent Steve Rosenberg. He was asked whether Russia would launch new military actions in Ukraine and replied that there would be no operations as long as Russia is respected and its interests are recognized.
He accused the West of breaking a supposed 1990 promise about NATO expansion that Russia has long cited, though the former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev later denied such a pledge. The event featured a large map of Russia, including areas it has claimed in Ukraine since the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Ukrainian officials later reported casualties from a Russian missile strike in the southern Odesa region just hours after the marathon ended.
The program also touched on Russia's economy as prices rise, with a VAT increase from 20 to 22 percent and guidance on monetary policy that saw the central bank cut rates to 16 percent.
Putin said Moscow is ready to cooperate with Western partners on equal terms, but insisted on security guarantees and the status of territories it partially controls in Ukraine. He argued Ukraine should abandon NATO ambitions and accept Russia's influence in Donbas and other disputed areas.
Talks outside Russia included comments on the war's front lines, and Putin mocked Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky for a front-line visit that he said failed to prove any real gains by Russia. He also cited a Russian claim about a shadow fleet and a security service report about an oil tanker in the Mediterranean.
Two Western journalists were allowed to ask questions, including Keir Simmons from NBC and Steve Rosenberg from INLIBER. Putin praised Donald Trump’s peace proposals while saying it was the West that blocked a deal, with the ball still in Western leaders' court.
The Kremlin's envoy also signaled a willingness to work with Western countries in the future, but only on the basis of mutual respect and Russia's long-term security needs.
Expert reaction
Expert comment A security analyst notes that the speech is heavy on messaging rather than new policy, intended to project Moscow's terms while keeping doors open for talks. It signals Russia's preference to talk from a position of strength and outlines red lines for any potential settlement.
What this means for Ukraine and diplomacy
Putin's remarks underscore Moscow's insistence on control over Donbas and resistance to Kyiv's NATO bid, while offering a pathway to negotiations if Western guarantees are provided. The talk also spotlighted broader economic and political tensions that influence diplomacy.
Short summary
During a marathon Q&A, Putin framed Russia's security concerns as central and offered to halt hostilities only if guarantees are in place. He reiterated demands over four Ukrainian regions and NATO, while signaling willingness to work with Western partners as equals. The broadcast combined government messaging with public questions, illustrating Moscow's preference for terms rather than a quick settlement.
Key takeaway: Putin presents a path to diplomacy on Russia's terms, highlighting security guarantees, while casting Western actions as the obstacle to peace. BBC report
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