MOSCOW, May 4 – President Vladimir Putin, in remarks released on Sunday, reaffirmed Russia’s ability and determination to carry the military operation in Ukraine through to its intended end. While expressing hope that the conflict would not escalate to nuclear confrontation, Putin emphasized that the Russian state possesses all the necessary resources to achieve its goals.
The war, which began with Russia’s deployment of troops into Ukrainian territory in February 2022, has since evolved into one of the most destructive and prolonged confrontations Europe has witnessed since the Second World War. It has also triggered the sharpest standoff between Russia and the Western world in decades, reminiscent of Cold War tensions.
Confidence in Military Capabilities
Speaking in a state-produced documentary marking his 25 years in power, titled “Russia, Kremlin, Putin, 25 Years”, the Russian leader dismissed any notion that Russia might need to resort to nuclear arms. Positioned beneath a portrait of Tsar Alexander III, known for his hardline policies and centralized control, Putin reflected on the provocations from outside forces aimed at drawing Moscow into strategic blunders.
“They tried to push us toward making serious mistakes,” Putin remarked. “But we haven’t had any reason to use such weapons, and I sincerely hope that moment never comes.”
Putin further emphasized that Russia possesses the power, capabilities, and determination to bring the mission launched in 2022 to a conclusion that serves the nation’s goals.
This statement underscores a continued commitment to Russia’s military path, even amid rising calls for negotiation and international pressure to de-escalate the situation.
Global Reaction and U.S Politics
The war’s longevity and intensity have drawn global concern, particularly in the United States. President Donald Trump has frequently voiced his frustration over the continuing conflict, labeling it a “bloodbath” and framing it as a geopolitical struggle between America and Russia rather than simply a regional war.
Trump has advocated for immediate action to end the fighting, although his vision for a solution remains ambiguous. He has warned that the situation holds the potential to spiral into a wider global war, possibly even triggering a third world war if left unchecked.
Despite these warnings, the Kremlin has maintained that resolving such a deeply rooted and multifaceted conflict is not a matter of simple diplomacy. Russian officials argue that Western ambitions to expand influence through NATO and weaken Moscow are what fueled the conflict in the first place.
Meanwhile, Western leaders, including current and former U.S. presidents and heads of European states, continue to characterize the invasion as an aggressive land grab. They maintain their support for Ukraine, vowing to counter Russia’s advance and push back against what they perceive as imperial ambitions.
Putin, however, rejects this narrative. For him, the war is a historic turning point in Russia’s relationship with the West—a battle to reclaim national dignity and strategic sovereignty after years of what he considers Western encroachment and disrespect following the Soviet Union’s collapse.
25 Years of Power and Leadership Reflections
Putin’s statements came during a program designed to humanize and celebrate his quarter-century leadership of Russia. A former intelligence officer with the KGB, Putin first rose to the presidency at the turn of the millennium, when he was appointed by outgoing President Boris Yeltsin.
Since then, Putin has become the most enduring leader of the Kremlin since Joseph Stalin, who remained in power for 29 years. Over the past two and a half decades, he has reshaped Russia’s internal power structure and international posture, earning both praise and fierce criticism.
To his detractors—many of whom are now imprisoned or have fled the country—Putin is seen as an autocrat who has built a tightly controlled regime marked by limited freedoms, cronyism, and widespread suppression of dissent. To his supporters, who remain in the majority according to state-conducted polls showing approval ratings exceeding 85%, he is viewed as the guardian of national stability and pride.
In a rare moment of candidness, viewers were given a glimpse into the more personal side of Putin. Within the walls of his Kremlin residence, he offered chocolates and a customary Russian milk drink to journalist Pavel Zarubin, revealing a more relaxed and personal side of himself.
Reflecting on his tenure, Putin recalled a moment of deep emotion and faith during the 2002 Nord-Ost hostage crisis, when Chechen militants held over 900 theatergoers in Moscow. “It was during that moment I first knelt in prayer,” he said.
Despite the immense weight of leading a country through war, economic sanctions, and internal upheaval, Putin insisted he does not see himself as a typical political figure. “I live and breathe just like millions of fellow Russians,” he stated. “That’s important to me. May that connection last as long as possible. May it never disappear.”
Putin’s remarks seem intended to project steadiness and resolve to both domestic and international audiences. Whether the war in Ukraine ends through negotiation or continued military effort, his message is clear: Russia is prepared to see it through to the very end—on its own terms.