On December 19 2023, Vladimir Putin delivered his yearly address in Moscow while Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to European leaders in Poland, both warning of escalating tensions in Eastern Europe.
Putin’s Annual Press Conference
During the multi‑hour event, which is broadcast on state media, journalist Steve Rosenberg of the BBC posed the only critical question, asking whether Russia would conduct further “special operations”. Vladimir Putin replied that there would be none if the West treated Russia with respect and honored its interests, adding that the West must not repeat the deception that accompanied NATO’s eastern expansion.
Putin Declares No War Planned
Putin reiterated that Russia is not preparing an attack on European states and dismissed reports of such preparations as “nonsense”. He maintained the Kremlin’s narrative that the West bears responsibility for the conflict, asserting that the ball is in the hands of the Kiev regime and its European allies.
He also confirmed that Moscow is ready to end the war “peacefully”, but will not withdraw from conditions it has deemed crucial, including control over occupied Ukrainian territories and Kyiv’s abandonment of NATO aspirations.
Zelensky’s Visit to Poland
Ukrainian media extensively covered President Zelensky’s trip to Poland, during which he warned Poland, Germany and other European countries about Russia’s Oresznik missile complex, which is slated for deployment on Belarusian territory. Zelensky said sanctions should target companies supplying Russia with components for the Oresznik system, although such measures had not yet materialized.
Zelensky on Missile Complex Oresznik
In a joint press conference with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Zelensky asserted that Ukraine has intelligence on the arrangement of the Oresznik complex and is sharing this information with partners. He added that missiles launched from the complex cannot be destroyed by drones, but Ukraine is aware of other methods to counter them.
Polish President Nawroki’s Perspective
Nawroki described Zelensky’s Warsaw visit as a political signal: positive for Europe and negative for Moscow. Polish support for a European credit for Ukraine and the decision to transfer MiG‑29 fighter jets were highlighted in the reports.