Putin: "I Will Meet Trump Anytime... Not Ready for Ukraine Negotiations"

"Right to Use Nuclear Weapons If the West Is Threatened"
"Plan to Meet and Talk with Al-Assad"

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on the 19th (local time) that he is ready to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at any time.

According to NBC and other U.S. media on the same day, President Putin said at the annual press conference and public dialogue event "Results of the Year," held at Gostiny Dvor in Moscow, Russia, "I don't know when I will meet him (Trump), but I am ready."

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. Photo by AP Yonhap News

This was in response to an NBC reporter's question suggesting that "Russia might appear weak if it meets with Trump because Russia has not achieved the goals of its special military operation in Ukraine."

Putin also rebutted by saying, "The Russian military has actually become stronger in recent years," adding, "The defense capability of the Russian military is world-class, and so is the military industry. Our military is advancing."

When asked if Russia is ready to negotiate with Ukraine, he replied, "Russia is ready to talk with Ukraine, but Ukraine is not ready."

Regarding Ukraine's assassination of Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian Ministry of Defense's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Troops, Putin stated, "It shows the nature of the Ukrainian regime that kills people even in the Kursk region."

On the third year of the frontline situation, he said, "The situation is changing dramatically," and stated that the Russian army is making progress across the entire front. When asked about plans to retake the Russian Kursk region occupied by Ukraine, he said, "I cannot give a specific date to drive (the Ukrainian forces) out of Kursk, nor do I want to," adding, "We will definitely push them out. There is no other way."

Last month, after Ukraine struck Russian territory with the U.S.-supplied long-range tactical ballistic missile ATACMS, Russia announced a new nuclear doctrine. This doctrine includes the provision that any attack by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear state will be considered a joint attack. It is effectively a countermeasure allowing the use of Western long-range missiles against Russian territory.

When asked if the West understood Russia's change in nuclear doctrine last month, Putin said, "You should ask them," and added, "If they threaten us, we reserve the right to use nuclear weapons against them."

Regarding a letter sent by the mother of Austin Tice, an American journalist who went missing in Syria 12 years ago, requesting Putin's help to find her son, Putin said that although he has not yet met with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since his exile, he plans to meet and talk with him.

On the recent Russian economic situation, he acknowledged that the unemployment rate has hit a historic low of 2.3% and wages are increasing, but admitted, "However, inflation is a worrying sign." Currently, due to the prolonged war, Russia's inflation rate has surged to about 9%. Nevertheless, he added, "The situation is stable."