MOSCOW, Russia — In an expansive, four-and-a-half-hour televised “Direct Line” marathon on Friday, President Vladimir Putin declared that Russia has no intentions of expanding military conflict into Europe, dismissing such fears as “nonsense.”
However, the Russian leader underscored that future stability is strictly contingent on Western nations recognizing Moscow’s geopolitical interests.
Addressing a hall filled with journalists and a nationwide audience, Putin responded to the BBC’s Steve Rosenberg, who questioned whether the Kremlin was planning new “special military operations” beyond the current conflict in Ukraine.
“There won’t be any operations if you treat us with respect, if you respect our interests just as we’ve always tried to respect yours,” Putin asserted.
The NATO grievance and international relations
Putin’s remarks centered on a recurring theme of perceived Western betrayal. He reiterated his long-standing grievance regarding the alliance’s expansion toward Russia’s borders, adding the specific condition for peace: “if you don’t cheat us like you cheated us with Nato’s eastward expansion”.
While sitting beneath a massive map of Russia that included annexed and occupied territories, such as Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine—Putin suggested that while Russia is not actively seeking war with Europe, it remains prepared for any escalation.
Economic resilience amid rising costs
The Kremlin utilized the event to project economic stability, even as the President faced direct pressure from the public regarding inflation.
While state media reported over three million submitted questions, the broadcast’s big screen occasionally displayed unscripted and critical comments from citizens:
- Cost of living: One viewer’s message pleaded, “Stop the crazy rise in prices on everything!”
- Public services: Messages bemoaned internet outages (attributed to drone defense measures) and poor water quality.
- The “Circus”: One blunt comment described the choreographed event itself as a “circus.”
To counter these concerns, the Russian central bank announced a reduction in interest rates to 16% during the broadcast. However, domestic financial pressure remains high as VAT is set to increase from 20% to 22% on January 1, 2026.
Peace terminology and the Trump proposal
Regarding the nearly four-year-old war in Ukraine, Putin expressed a willingness to end hostilities “peacefully” but remained firm on the territorial demands outlined in his June 2024 speech.
These terms include the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from four regions partially occupied by Russia and the abandonment of Kyiv’s NATO ambitions.
Also Read: Russia repatriates bodies of over 1,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers
The President also touched upon peace proposals submitted by US President Donald Trump, praising the efforts as “sincere.”
Putin even offered a temporary bombing halt to facilitate proposed new elections in Ukraine, provided that millions of Ukrainians currently residing in Russia are permitted to vote.
Maritime escalation and final remarks
The event took place against the backdrop of a significant maritime development. The Ukrainian SBU security service reported its first-ever strike on a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in the Mediterranean.
Putin dismissed the impact of the strike, claiming it would fail to disrupt Russian exports or achieve Kyiv’s intended strategic results.
Closing the marathon session, Putin shifted the responsibility for the conflict’s continuation entirely toward Western capitals.
“The ball is in the hands of our Western opponents,” he said, “primarily the leaders of the Kyiv regime, and in this case, first and foremost, their European sponsors.”
