IGORA /Leningrad Region/, December 26. /TASS/. Russia could use Oreshnik again if need be, but the country is seeking to end the conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters.
Russia is ready to continue to supply gas to Europe, according to the president, but Kiev announced that it will not renew the contract. By ending the transit, Ukraine is punishing Europe, although Kiev relies on its support to continue to fight, and even exist, he said.
Below are Putin’s key statements that TASS put together.
About the Oreshnik missile
Russia has a few Oreshnik intermediary-range missile systems. There is not many of them.
Russia is in no hurry to use them "because they are powerful weapons that are designed to achieve certain goals." If need be, "we will use it, but we are not in a hurry."
Strikes on Russian territory will never go unanswered. "We always respond in kind. Whenever they use certain weapons against us, we use similar weapons."
Ukraine conflict
Russia is seeking to end the conflict in Ukraine. The number one objective for 2025 is to achieve the goals of the special military operation. Russia will make progress along the engagement line. "I believe in God, and God is with us."
Back in 2021, US President Joe Biden suggested "delaying Ukraine's admission to NATO for 10-15 years because it is not yet ready."
Slovak prime minister’s visit
Peaceful settlement in Ukraine was the key issue of discussion during Slovak Prime Minister’s Robert Fico’s visit to Moscow. The prime minister expressed readiness to provide his country's territory as a venue for talks between Moscow and Kiev. "If it comes to that, why not? Because Slovakia holds a neutral position from our point of view."
Natural gas transit
Russia has always called for depoliticization of economic issues and never hindered gas supplies to Europe. Russia still maintains a transit of at least 14 million cubic meters of gas through Ukraine and pays for it. "Regardless of the war, our supplies were regular and we paid, and still pay, by the way, money for transit."
Russia is ready to supply gas through Ukraine under a contract with any counterparty, but this is impossible given the lawsuit from Kiev. By halting the transit of Russian gas to Europe, Ukraine is "pecking" the hand that feeds it. The Ukrainians are "punishing Europe" by closing the contract for the supply of Russian gas.
Moscow is also ready to supply gas to Europe through Poland, using the existing Yamal-Europe route. "All it needs is just pushing a button".
Priorities
The most important thing in the coming year is "the well-being of the Russian people, standard of living, stability." In terms of economy, the goals are to tame inflation and continue economic growth, which will be about 4% in 2024.