🕊️ Could peace be on the horizon? On Friday, December 19, 2025, President Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to end the conflict in Ukraine through peaceful means if the underlying causes are addressed.
“We are aware of certain signals indicating that Kiev is ready to engage in some form of dialogue,” Putin said during his annual press conference.
“We are equally prepared and committed to bringing this conflict to a peaceful resolution. This must be based on the principles I outlined in June 2024 at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside the elimination of the root causes that precipitated this crisis,” he added.
Putin noted, however, that Russia has not yet seen any indication that Ukraine is prepared to discuss the territorial issue.
On the battlefield, he stressed, Russian troops were advancing along the entire line of contact while Ukrainian forces were retreating. He said the balance has shifted decisively in Russia's favor after Ukrainian troops were pushed out of Russia's Kursk region.
So what's next? Observers will be watching for whether Kiev responds to these overtures and if a roadmap to talks can emerge. For now, the door to peace depends on addressing the core issues at stake. ✌️
Reference(s):
Putin: Russia willing to end Ukraine conflict if root causes addressed
cgtn.com
