Putin speech LIVE: Russia 'ready to work' with Europe - but only on 1 condition

BBC's Russia editor Steve Rosenberg asked Putin the following questions:

"What is the future you are planning for Russia and its people," Rosenberg asks. "Will there be new special military operations?"

Putin gave a lengthy response which included:

"Are we truly going to attack Europe? This is nonsense," he adds. "They are creating the image of an enemy, and they are making Russia the enemy."

He continues that Russia is willing to work with countries like the US and UK, "but on par" with "due respect" for one another.

Putin has said it would not launch another full-scale attack in the future, provided it is treated with "respect" by the West, and that NATO does not expand eastward.

During his conference, Putin told Russians that having children should become "fashionable".

Appealing directly to journalists and key figures, he urged them to shape public discussion in ways that encourage having a family.

Vladimir Putin has now concluded his marathon year-end news conference, which spanned 4 hours 27 minutes, matching the length of last year’s event.

According to Russian media, Putin answered a total of 83 questions.

Putin has said Russia could pause strikes but only if one thing happens.

He said Russia woud be opening to pausing strikes but only if Ukraine holds elections.

"The government in Ukraine must become legitimate in the end, and this is impossible without holding elections", said Putin.

He added: "We are ready to consider ensuring security for the elections in Ukraine, at least by refraining from attacks deep into the territory on election day."

Putin has said he would like to see next year unfold "in peace and without any military conflicts,".

He then stressed that Russia aims to resolve all disputed issues through negotiations.

Putin says he is "ready to work" with Europe but only if it on equal terms.

He believes that by reaching this point "everyone will benefit".

“I want to finish with something else: we are ready to work with you – with the UK, with Europe, and with the USA, but on an equal footing, with respect for each other,” Putin said. “If we finally reach this point, everyone will benefit.”

Russia has returned 1,003 bodies, which Moscow says belong to Ukrainian soldiers, according to the Ukrainian organisation that oversees the treatment of prisoners of war.

“Law enforcement investigators, together with expert institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will carry out all necessary examinations and identify the repatriated bodies,” the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said in a Telegram post.

President Vladimir Putin has said Friday that Russia had been asked to make compromises on Ukraine during his summit in Alaska with US President Donald Trump in August.

He claimed that he had “practically agreed” to Trump’s proposals in Alaska, without providing details.

Putin has said the "ball is entirely in the court" of Ukraine and the West to neogitate peace talks to end the war.

Speaking to NBC, the Russian leader praised President Donald Trump's "serious" and "sincere" efforts to end the war.

Despite ongoing challenges fueled by Western sanctions and the effects of his war in Ukraine, Putin struck a tone of economic optimism.

The Russian President acknowledged that sanctions caused some "difficulties" for the country, but expressed that "talented" scientists and young specialists from Russia are returning.

He says "better opportunities" are driving people back to their home country.

Putin has declared that Russian forces have “fully seized strategic initiative” and would make more gains by the year’s end.

At his live end of year conference Putin said: “Our troops are advancing all across the line of contact, faster in some areas or slower in some others, but the enemy is retreating in all sectors."

The Russian president said that using the frozen assets to fund Ukraine’s defense would “undermine trust” in the Eurozone.

For months, the European Union wrestled with whether to use the Russian assets it froze after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022—assets worth nearly $250 billion.

However, after negotiations that ran late into the night, EU member states failed to reach an agreement and instead settled on a different approach.

Rather than drawing on the frozen Russian funds, Europe announced early Friday that it would provide Ukraine with 90 billion euros ($105 billion) in loans to support its economy and military through 2027.

Speaking during his annual press conference Putin said: "But why can't they carry out this robbery? Because the consequences could be severe for the robbers."

Putin has called the European Union's attempts to seize Russian assets "robbery," warning that such actions could have serious consequences for Europe's financial credibility and the global financial system.

Sending a chilling warning Putin has warned "severe consequences" would have followed for the EU if it had approved using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine after the bloc failed to green light the plan.

Good morning. My name is Lauran O'Toole and welcome to our live blog.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a furious attack against European Union leaders while speaking in Moscow at an annual TV event.

We will provide you with live updates as and when we receive them.