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Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that for the time being, there is no need for new military mobilization campaigns, nearly two years after the offensive in Ukraine was launched.
Putin claimed that more than 400,000 Russians have been recruited as volunteers, while 41,000 soldiers have been released after reaching the age limit or for health reasons.
Speaking at his end-of-year conference, Putin added that mercenaries fighting for Russia in Ukraine will have all the rights to social support from the state, as all other military personnel have.
Some audience members held protest signs as the president spoke.
He further said that Russia is succeeding in the military campaign in Ukraine to achieve its objectives.
"There will be peace when we have achieved the mentioned objectives, they have not changed since the beginning and they are the same again: de-Nazification of Ukraine, its de-militarization and neutral status. We must agree on a 'demilitarization' and accept certain parameters. During the negotiations in Istanbul we accepted them but the agreements were later betrayed. But there are still other possibilities. Either way, we'll either come to an agreement or settle it by force. This is our objective," Putin said, among other things.
At the conference, Putin was described as enthusiastic as he announced plans to stay in office until 2030 if he could.
The 71-year-old said he was confident of victory in Ukraine, although the conflict has claimed the lives of thousands of young Russians.
Putin also added that two years of Western sanctions had not damaged Russia's economy or morale.
"There is enough for us to have faith and move forward," he added.
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