Putin set out the Kremlin's stance in the opening moments of his annual end-of-year press conference, a marathon event that typically runs for four hours.

The Russian economy has been dealing with growing headwinds this year: unruly inflation, a ballooning budget deficit and shrinking energy revenues. But analysts say the Kremlin could weather the storm for many more years.

Putin said at an annual meeting with top military officers that Moscow will move to expand a “buffer security zone” along the border.

President Vladimir Putin's epic annual press conference on Friday was punctuated by bizarre moments and occasional barbs from ordinary Russians venting their frustration via unfiltered text messages.

President Vladimir Putin said he’s willing to discuss bringing Russia’s war in Ukraine to an end, even as he ruled out changes sought by Kyiv and Europe to a US peace plan drawn up with Moscow.

Putin claims no "willingness from Ukraine" to negotiate a peace deal as he touts battlefield gains, and Kyiv claims a brazen strike on a ship far from Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address on Wednesday that Russia is preparing "the coming year as a year of war," despite ongoing peace talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s suggestion to pause strikes for elections, saying Russia has no authority over Ukraine’s vote.