Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin during his annual press conference in Moscow.Image: keystone
Once a year, Russia’s president calls for a propaganda show in the Kremlin. What he had to report this time.
December 19, 2025, 7:20 p.mDecember 19, 2025, 7:20 p.m
Ivan Ruslyannikov / ch media
“Will the image of the Oreshnik rocket appear on banknotes?” And “when will artificial intelligence be created based on Putin’s knowledge?” Russian citizens were able to ask questions like these to Vladimir Putin at this year’s big press conference.
For four and a half hours, the Kremlin leader addressed over 70 topics and answered questions from the public and journalists. The 5 most important points.
Putin reportedly wants to ensure security during possible elections
Putin said he was ready to refrain from bombing inside Ukraine during presidential elections if they were to take place. But: “If Kiev wants to use the elections to stop the advance of the Russian army, that is the wrong decision.”
The holding of presidential elections in Ukraine is one of Russia’s demands. Donald Trump has supported this demand several times. Volodymyr Zelensky replied that this would be possible if the USA and Europe ensured security.
A supermarket in Zaporizhia, Ukraine, badly damaged by a Russian drone.Image: keystone
The Kremlin boss reports “new successes” in Ukraine
Putin announced “new military successes” in Ukraine by the end of the year. “We are ready to go further and destroy these vermin,” Putin said. Russia surpasses the enemy on all fronts.
He also stated that Russia bears no responsibility for the deaths of people in Ukraine. “We do not see ourselves responsible for the deaths of people because we did not start the war,” Putin replied to a question from a journalist from the American broadcaster NBC whether the Kremlin would be responsible for the deaths of Ukrainians and Russians if it rejected Donald Trump’s peace offer.
Threats towards Europe
Putin threatened the European Union with consequences if it handed over frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. “This is not secret looting, but pure robbery. Whatever they steal, at some point they have to give it back.”
According to him, the Kremlin will not launch a new “special military operation” if Europe treats Russia with respect: “It is quite obvious that we would prosper by combining and complementing our capabilities rather than fighting against each other. We are ready to immediately end these hostilities.”
Apparently no one is being persecuted in Russia
Putin denies that opposition figures are being persecuted. “There is no repression in Russia,” the Kremlin leader replied to a BBC journalist’s question about how Putin sees the future of Russia and whether disagreements with the government will be punished. In this context, he mentioned restrictions on mobile internet and the “search for enemies.”
He was therefore never persecuted: the opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who died in prison.Image: keystone
The Russian parliament recently voted for new changes to the law that will make life more difficult for “foreign agents” living in exile. In particular, critics of Putin abroad are denied the issuance of documents and other consular services. In the future, they will no longer be able to give up their Russian citizenship, register a marriage or change their name.
Putin swears in his people
At the end, Putin formulated a message to the Russians: “We accepted everything that our predecessors did with gratitude. But we didn’t stand still, we worked, fought and thought of you,” he said. “And when you read my message, you will feel like you are part of our shared success.”
Behind these words lies not only Putin’s long-known desire to go down in history as a great ruler. But also the fear that everything he is currently achieving with military means will not be maintained. (aargauerzeitung.ch)