Contrary to some reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not offer talks to Ukraine on December 25.

In a televised interview, Putin said he did not think the war was approaching a "dangerous border" and noted that Russia had no choice but to continue to protect its citizens, before saying Russia was "ready to negotiate with all sides "participating in the conflict.

All about the topic:

Russian invasion of Ukraine 8698

This is stated in the daily analysis of the situation in Ukraine by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Putin did not explicitly say that Russia was ready to negotiate directly with Ukraine, instead maintaining his false narrative that Ukraine - which he simply referred to as "the other side" - had disrupted Russia's diplomatic efforts before the invasion.

Putin's talk of talks focused on alleged discussions with the West, not Ukraine, and reflected his constant accusations that Ukraine was simply a Western pawn with no real power.

This statement was not a departure from that rhetorical line.

Putin also said that, in his opinion, Russia is "acting in the right direction", which shows that he has not set serious conditions for negotiations and still wants to pursue his maximalist goals, reports news.bg.

Putin's December 25 statement is part of a targeted information campaign aimed at misleading the West and forcing Ukraine to make preliminary concessions.

The Kremlin did not post the full transcript of Putin's interview on its official website in a departure from its usual pattern, possibly to make it easier to distort Putin's full statement, originally broadcast in Russian, and to highlight his vague statement about the talks.

A Russian politician is suing the prosecutor's office after Putin called the conflict in Ukraine a "war".

The Kremlin's use of the clip from the Christmas holiday interview may also be a response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent speech

Volodymyr Zelensky is a Ukrainian artist, screenwriter, producer, and politician. Volodymyr (sometimes in front of the US Congress in the midst of the holiday season.

Putin is likely troubled by the lack of support for his war in Ukraine among the elites, and perhaps creating the informational conditions for the nationalization of their property.

Putin pointed out that there are people in Russia who act only in their own self-interest when answering a relatively positive question in the interview about his feelings about Russian involvement in the war.

Putin added that 99.9% of Russians would sacrifice anything for the "motherland".

Putin's immediate criticism of some members of the public suggests that he is focused on those who do not fully support the war, rather than those who do.

Putin made similar statements last week, noting that some businessmen who siphon Russian money are a "danger" to Russia.

Putin's remarks also come as Russia's State Duma prepares to introduce a bill to increase tax rates for Russians who have left the country since the "special military operation" began, possibly as a form of punishment for avoiding military action.

The Kremlin is likely to use the proceeds of the tax to finance its war in Ukraine.

Putin asked Russia's military industry to speed up production

Ukrainian strikes on legitimate military targets far behind Russia's rear continue to be a source of neuralgia for the Russian military blogging community.

On the night of December 25 and the morning of December 26, Russian sources began reporting explosions near the Engels Air Base in the Saratov Region.

Ukrainian intelligence has announced that a senior Russian officer linked to the Wagner Group has been appointed commander of Russia's Western Military District (ZVO).

On December 26, the Main Directorate of Military Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR) announced that the former Chief of Staff of the Eastern Military District, Lieutenant General Yevgeny Valeryvych Nikiforov, was appointed as the new commander of Russia's Western Military District, and that Nikiforov commanded Russia's Western Group of Forces in Ukraine from a command post in Boguchar, Voronezh Region.

General Nikiforov has combat experience from 2014 to 2015 as the commander of PMC "Wagner" units in Donbass.

Russian and Ukrainian forces continue offensive operations along the Svatovo-Kremina line.

Putin: Russia is ready to negotiate on Ukraine

Ukrainian sources report that Ukrainian troops are fighting near Kremenna.

Russian sources claim that Russian forces have achieved limited success northeast of Bakhmut.

Russian forces have continued ground attacks in the western outskirts of the city of Donetsk.

Ukrainian military officials indicated that Russian forces may be massing some unspecified forces for offensive or demonstration operations in Zaporozhye Oblast, and that Russian forces are attempting to conduct small-scale reconnaissance operations with the goal of reaching the right bank of Kherson Oblast.

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky