Putin’s threats, blackmail, and fake victimhood expose dialogue with Moscow as illusion, proving negotiations only enable aggression while Europe hesitates and Ukraine fights for survival.
The Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has held another so-called “year-end summary” press conference.
And although I have repeatedly said there is no sense in trying to crawl into this man’s head or to understand his thinking, this time I decided to write about it anyway.
The trigger was not even Putin’s own words, but today’s statement by Emmanuel Macron:
“Europe needs to find a way to restore direct dialogue with Russia… It will be useful again to talk with Vladimir Putin.”
I will refrain from commenting on this “brilliant” idea from the President of France. Instead, let us look at what Putin himself actually said.
NATO, War, and Manufactured Victimhood
Responding to statements from NATO officials about countering Russian aggression, Putin declared:
“They want to prepare for war with Russia. Well, can you read? Read the new U.S. National Security Strategy. Russia is not listed as an enemy. Yet NATO is preparing for war with us. How is it that you are directing NATO toward war when the main NATO country does not consider us an adversary?”
This is classic Kremlin manipulation: distort reality, deny aggression, and accuse others of escalation—while missiles continue to fall on Ukrainian cities.
Frozen Assets and Threats of Retaliation
Commenting on the transfer of frozen Russian assets and efforts to combat Russia’s shadow fleet, Putin said:
“This is being done for a utilitarian purpose—to raise insurance premiums. It will not disrupt any deliveries and will only create additional threats. Our response will certainly follow.”
When asked about a possible blockade of the Kaliningrad region, he escalated further:
“Actions of this kind will lead to escalation unprecedented up to this point.”
And then, unmistakably:
“If threats of this kind are created against us, we will eliminate those threats… up to a large-scale armed conflict.”
This is not diplomacy. It is blackmail, delivered in the language of nuclear intimidation.
Elections in Wartime: A Cynical Provocation
No Putin speech is complete without his obsession with Ukrainian elections:
“The authorities in Ukraine must become legitimate, and that is impossible without elections.”
“We are prepared to consider security measures during elections in Ukraine, including refraining from strikes deep into Ukrainian territory on voting day.”
“If elections are held, Ukrainians residing in Russia must be allowed to vote on Russian territory.”
Is there a single rational person left who believes elections during full-scale war would benefit Ukraine—or that Russia’s concern for Ukrainian democracy is anything but a farce?
“Respect” as a Condition for Peace
Finally, another direct threat to Europe:
“There will be no special military operations if you treat us with respect—if you uphold our interests.”
Translated from Kremlin language, “respect” means submission.
Dialogue Is an Illusion
This is why appeals for “dialogue with Russia” are meaningless. What is the point of talking, when negotiations serve only as cover while missiles are redeployed to Belarus?
There is no sense in analyzing Putin’s statements, just as there is no sense in negotiating with him.
The only meaningful outcome is the removal of Putin and the dismantling of the imperial project that modern Russia is desperately trying to resurrect.
