Russia claims victory, but economy buckles under war's weight
In 2024, Russia anticipated achieving the most substantial territorial advances since the war began. Reuters, citing its sources, reports that Putin claims Russia has fulfilled its primary objectives in Ukraine. However, the Russian leader also acknowledged that the war is exerting pressure on the country's economy.
According to Reuters, citing its sources, last year, Russia secured the most significant territorial gains since the early stages of the conflict. At the end of November, DeepState reported that Russia controls 18% of Ukraine's territory, including Crimea, 80% of the Donbas, and significant parts of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
"In Putin's view, the key objectives of the war have already been achieved," writes the agency.
The main goals included gaining control over territory connecting mainland Russia with Crimea and weakening the Ukrainian army, according to a source familiar with the situation at the Kremlin.
Putin also acknowledges that the war is exerting pressure on the economy, highlighting "really big problems" such as the impact of high interest rates on non-military business and industry. Among some Russian elites, there is a belief that negotiations are needed to conclude the war.
Trump presses Putin
Donald Trump, the President of the USA, announced on Monday that he plans to meet with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. The aim of the meeting is to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible.
- I will meet with President Putin - said Trump during the signing of a series of executive orders. He added that the first conversation with Putin will take place "soon" and assessed that Russian war losses amount to a million people. - I think he is destroying Russia by not accepting an agreement (...). Russia is in big trouble - stated Trump.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, informed that Russia's losses in 2024 alone have surpassed the total figures from 2022 and 2023. - According to our calculations, in 2024, total (Russian - ed.) losses exceeded 434,000 people, with about 150,000 killed. This year of fighting has cost them more than the previous two years of war combined - Syrskyi said.
