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LIVE UPDATES: Putin Reviews 2025 at Annual Press Conference

Sputnik International

President Vladimir Putin is holding his combined year-end press conference and Direct Line from Moscow’s Gostiny Dvor, reviewing the results of 2025 and outlining priorities for 2026. The format, first merged in 2023, brings together questions from reporters and citizens from across the country.

2025-12-19T08:45+0000

2025-12-19T10:46+0000

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LIVE UPDATES: Putin Reviews 2025 at Annual Press Conference

08:45 GMT 19.12.2025 (Updated: 10:46 GMT 19.12.2025)

More than one million questions have been submitted since the collection registry opened on December 4. GigaChat is once again assisting with processing the incoming messages.

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Table of contents

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13:47 GMT 19.12.2025

Russia Has Military Specialists in Information Warfare - Putin

Russia has military specialists in information warfare, and it will continue to train them, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Training information warfare specialists does not really fit together, although we certainly have military specialists in information warfare, and we will continue to train them. I mean, this is part of improving the armed forces," Putin said.

13:46 GMT 19.12.2025

Putin Vows to Protect Compatriots Abroad

Russia will protect its compatriots abroad, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"As for protecting compatriots abroad, we will address this. We are doing so now and will continue," Putin said.

Russia should safeguard its compatriots abroad with care, ideally avoiding aggressive measures that could worsen their situation, the Russian leader said.

13:46 GMT 19.12.2025

Interim Governance, Election in Ukraine Possible If West Has Will - Putin

Interim governance and election in Ukraine are theoretically possible if Western countries have the will, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"Regarding election in Ukraine and the introduction of some kind of external governance regime, this has been suggested by others, including me, but it is hypothetical, and, in general, if such a will exists, including among Western countries," Putin said.

Russia is ready to consider refraining from attacks on Ukraine on election day if it is held there, Putin said, adding that Russia hears statements by Kiev about demands to the West to ensure security during the alleged election in Ukraine.

The government in Ukraine must eventually become legitimate, and this is impossible without election, Putin said, adding that Russia held elections at all levels, despite attempts to disrupt them in new regions.

If Kiev wants to use election to stop the advancement of the Russian army, then this is wrong, Putin added.

13:37 GMT 19.12.2025

From 5Mln to 10Mln of Ukrainian Citizens Live in Russia as Per Various Estimates – Putin

From 5 million to 10 million Ukrainian citizens live in Russia, Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"There are millions of Ukrainian citizens living in Russia. According to various estimates, from 5 million to 10 million," Putin said.

13:29 GMT 19.12.2025

Russia Not Banning Foreign Neural Networks, But They Must Comply With Law - Putin

Russia does not ban foreign neural networks, but it requires them to comply with Russian laws, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"We are not banning anything; we are simply demanding compliance with our laws. And if market participants do not comply with these laws, then appropriate restrictions will be imposed. We are not going to ban anything," Putin said.

13:23 GMT 19.12.2025

Putin Hopes Russia Will Live in Peace, Prosperity in Future

Putin said expressed hope on Friday that Russia will live in peace and prosperity in the future.

It is difficult to predict hundreds of years ahead against the background of modern technology development, the president said.

"I really hope that the country will be highly educated. And on the basis of this education, the high level of education of our people, it will be high-tech, it will use these technologies to solve all the tasks facing us in the field of economics, healthcare, and social policy, and it will live in peace, prosperity, and build relationships based on respect for itself and its partners, with all participants of international communication," Putin said.

13:21 GMT 19.12.2025

Russia Maintains Economic Stability, Many Important Decisions Made to Achieve This - Putin

Russia maintains economic stability, and many important decisions have been made to achieve this, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"As I said at the beginning, we are maintaining the stability of the economy, and many very important decisions have been made to achieve this," Putin said.

13:14 GMT 19.12.2025

Putin Calls Russian Army Most Combat-Ready in World

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called the Russian army the most combat-ready in the world.

"I recently spoke at a Defense Ministry board meeting about the development of the armed forces, and I said that they have probably become the most combat-ready in the world, given new types of weapons, including strategic ones," Putin said.

13:09 GMT 19.12.2025

Putin Says His Personal Accomplishments Cannot Be Separated From Nation's Successes

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his personal accomplishments cannot be separated from the successes of the country.

"My successes cannot be separated from the successes of the country. I live by it," Putin said.

Putin called people's trust the motivation to move forward.

13:07 GMT 19.12.2025

Putin Lauds MC-21's Global Market Competitiveness

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called Russia's MC-21 a competitive aircraft for the international market.

"The MC-21 is a very good vehicle, fully competitive in global markets," Putin said during the annual Q&A session combined with his end-of-year press conference, adding that Russia definitely needs domestic planes.

Both military and civil aircraft construction are important and urgent issues for Russia, Putin said, adding that the refusal of Western partners to cooperate in the aviation industry forces Russia to work and engage in its market.

13:07 GMT 19.12.2025

Putin Says 700,000 People Currently Fighting in Military Operation Zone

As many as 700,000 people are currently fighting in the special military operation zone, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"Right now we are living in conditions of the special military operation. We have 700,000 people in the special military operation zone," Putin said.

12:44 GMT 19.12.2025

Russia's Responses Not Comparable to Ukraine's Strikes - Putin

The responses of the Russian armed forces to attacks on civilian targets are not comparable with the actions of Kiev, and there will always be a response from Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"Our troops regularly respond to this by launching retaliatory strikes that are not comparable in strength, power and accuracy to what the Kiev regime is doing. Anything that damages civilian infrastructure, non-combatants, and people who are not involved in combat is, of course, highly reprehensible. There will always be a response from our side," Putin said.

12:41 GMT 19.12.2025

Russian Authorities Will Continue Supporting All The Country's Traditional Religions - Putin

Russian authorities will continue to support all traditional religions in the country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"We have supported, and we intend to continue supporting all traditional religions of the Russian Federation," Putin said.

12:39 GMT 19.12.2025

Russia Has Achieved Full Digital Sovereignty - Putin

Russia has achieved full digital sovereignty, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Now we can say with confidence, and this is very important, that Russia has achieved full digital sovereignty. Russia is one of the three countries that have this digital sovereignty. These are the United States, the People's Republic of China, and now Russia," Putin said.

The Russian leader called the creation of the national messenger Max the right step.

Competition is always needed, Putin said, discussing the MAX messenger's development. The Russian president added that he is certain competition will persist, acknowledging that the Max messenger will eventually face competitors.

12:20 GMT 19.12.2025

Attacks on Russian Tankers Do Not Disrupt Supplies, But Will Only Create Additional Threats - Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that there will always be a response from Russia to attacks on tankers. He pointed out that attacks on Russian tankers are being carried out, among other reasons, to increase insurance premiums. Regarding the threat of a blockade of the Kaliningrad region, Putin stated that actions of this kind would lead to an unprecedented escalation of the conflict.

12:20 GMT 19.12.2025

West Fighting With Russia Through Ukrainian Nationalists - Putin

The West is fighting Russia through the hands of Ukrainian nationalists, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"We are not at war with you, but you are at war with us through the hands of Ukrainian nationalists," Putin said responding to a question from BBC journalist Steve Rosenberg during the annual Q&A session combined with his end-of-year press conference.

Russia stands ready to halt hostilities immediately if Moscow's demands for security guarantees are met, he said.

"If we joined forces with European countries, Russia and Europe, our combined GDP at purchasing power parity would surpass that of the United States. By combining and complementing our capabilities, we would thrive, not fight with each other," the Russian leader said.

Europe will gradually disappear without cooperating with Russia, Putin said.

12:18 GMT 19.12.2025

Putin Sides With Trump in BBC Spat, Says Broadcaster Has Inaccurate Reporting Issues

The BBC broadcaster has a problem with unreliable coverage of information and fraud, and US President Donald Trump is right about this issue, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

On December 16, Trump sued the BBC for distorting the US leader's speech, a court document revealed.

"This, of course, is a problem, with unreliable coverage of information and fraud. It is obvious, I think President Trump is right," Putin said during the annual Q&A session combined with his end-of-year press conference.

Putin also described Trump's lawsuit against the BBC as "a family matter," saying that parties should resolve it themselves.

12:16 GMT 19.12.2025

Limits on Presidential Power in Russia Clearly Spelled Out in Constitution - Putin

The limits of presidential power in Russia are clearly defined in the constitution, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"You said all power is in my hands. Yes, there is power that lies in the hands of the Russian president, and the limits of that power are clearly defined and spelled out in the Russian constitution, the fundamental law of our country," Putin said during the annual Q&A session combined with his end-of-year press conference.

A significant portion of laws in Russia are initially submitted by lawmakers, the president said.

"When decisions are made at the legislative level – yes, I, as in any country, sign these laws. I cannot say what percentage, but a significant part of these laws are proposed by members of the State Duma or of the upper house of the Russian parliament, the Federation Council," Putin said.

The presidential form of governance is justified in Russia today, Putin added.

12:03 GMT 19.12.2025

Putin Notes Main NATO Member, Untied States, No Longer Views Russia as Adversary

Putin recommended that NATO Secretary General Rutte read the new US National Security Strategy. The president called Rutte a smart and organized person, but added that he often talks nonsense.

"What is this? Can you read? How do you aim NATO for war with Russia if the leading NATO country [the US] does not consider us an adversary or an enemy?" Putin stated.

Putin noted the insufficient level of professional training in NATO and among some Western leaders who are preparing for war with Russia.

11:56 GMT 19.12.2025

Russia Ready to Work With UK, US, But on Equal Terms - Putin

Both Russia and the West would benefit from working together, Putin said. Putin said it is obvious that by uniting and complementing each other, Russia and Europe would prosper rather than fight. He stressed that there was no Russian interference in US elections and argued that the combined GDP of Russia and Europe, measured in purchasing power parity terms, would exceed that of the US if they cooperated. Putin added that the conflict between Trump and European political elites did not surprise him, claiming those elites had openly and visibly interfered in the US electoral process.

Putin said Europe will gradually disappear if it does not cooperate with Russia. He also noted that Europe expects the political landscape in the US to change after the congressional elections, believing this would allow it to exert greater pressure on Trump.