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Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke confidently at his annual news conference about Russia's position on the battlefield in the war in Ukraine. But he gave no signal whether Moscow is willing to make substantial concessions for the sake of peace.
The 2015 results conference, held on December 19, includes a press conference with questions from Russian citizens, but these have been reviewed in advance.
This conference took place at a time when US President Donald Trump is pushing ahead with diplomatic efforts to broker peace, nearly four years after Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"Our troops are advancing along the entire line of contact. In some places at a faster pace, in others more slowly. But in all directions the enemy is retreating," Putin said just minutes after the start of the appearance broadcast by television in Moscow, which is followed inside and outside Russia for the messages given about the Kremlin's intentions.
This orchestrated event often lasts for hours. Putin has repeatedly stated in recent months that Russia has the upper hand in the war and will achieve its goals.
There was no sign of change in his statements at the event. The conference aims to project self-confidence to viewers in Russia, Ukraine, Europe, the United States and around the world.
"I am sure that by the end of the year we will see new successes on the battlefield ," Putin said, before turning to other issues.
Russian forces have been advancing gradually, hitting Ukrainian defenses, which are outnumbered and often poorly equipped, at several points along the nearly 1,100-kilometer front line.
Putin presented a particularly optimistic picture of Russia's advances, claiming that Moscow's troops had almost taken the city of Kupyansk, in the Kharkiv region, encircling Ukrainian soldiers.
This claim is highly controversial. Ukrainian forces launched a counterattack against Russian forces last month, and this week the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army declared that Kiev controls most of the city.
President Volodymyr Zelensky visited this city last week, aiming to prove that this city has not been taken by the Russians.
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