At his annual year-end press conference on Friday, December 19, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to end the conflict in Ukraine through peaceful means, provided the root causes of the crisis are addressed.
"We are aware of certain signals indicating that Kiev is ready to engage in some form of dialogue," Putin said, referring to recent diplomatic overtures. He reiterated that any lasting resolution must follow the principles he outlined in June of 2024 at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, coupled with efforts to eliminate the factors that precipitated the conflict.
Despite this diplomatic opening, Putin noted that Ukraine has yet to signal willingness to discuss the sensitive territorial issues at the heart of the dispute. On the battlefield, he asserted, Russian forces continue to push forward along the entire line of contact, citing a decisive shift after Ukrainian troops were pushed out of the Kursk region.
For young global citizens and business leaders watching across G20 nations, these statements mark a potential pivot point in a conflict that has shaped global security dialogues this year. Analysts will be looking for concrete steps toward talks, balancing rhetoric with the realities on the ground.
As observers await further developments, the coming weeks may reveal whether Putin's overtures can translate into formal negotiations or remain overshadowed by ongoing military advances.
Reference(s):
Putin: Russia willing to end Ukraine conflict if root causes addressed
cgtn.com
