China News Service, December 23 According to Russian media reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a press conference after the State Council Youth Policy Conference on the 22nd and answered questions from reporters on the Ukrainian crisis, Western aid to Ukraine, and the explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline.

Putin said Russia's goal was not to turn the flywheel of a military conflict, but to end the crisis.

　　Putin first summed up the year 2022.

He said that while there were no ideal circumstances, Russia was going through the year with confidence.

"We are not concerned that the current situation does not allow us to implement future plans, including those for 2023."

　　Regarding the special military operation that started in February this year, Putin said that everything related to the special military operation is an absolutely compulsory and necessary measure.

"We should be grateful to our army, our soldiers, our officers, our soldiers for everything they do for Russia, protecting Russia's interests, its sovereignty and most importantly, our people."

　　Putin emphasized that Russia's goal is not to "turn the flywheel of the military conflict," but to end the crisis, "and we will try to bring it to an end—and the sooner the better."

　　Referring to the supply of weapons from the West to Ukraine, Putin said, "Russia is consuming military supplies, these are huge numbers, but the difference with the Ukrainian military-industrial complex is huge: Kyiv will run out of stockpiles very quickly, while We were able to increase the production of weapons."

　　Putin also spoke of the need for a "broader and deeper" view of U.S. involvement in the Ukraine crisis.

Because the United States has long been doing this: it has long been involved in what happened in the Soviet and post-Soviet spaces.

"Now it turns out we're just being led by the nose. Countries like the US have been doing this for a long time."

　　As for the "Patriot" air defense missile system that the United States will provide Ukraine, Putin believes that "those who oppose us consider it a defensive weapon. We will keep this in mind. And there will always be a solution. However, those who do It's futile. It's just prolonging the conflict."

　　Regarding the price ceiling imposed by the West on Russian oil prices, Putin said, "This is the path to global energy destruction. There may come a day when underinvested industries will no longer supply the necessary production volumes to the market, and then prices will soar and hurt those people trying to introduce these tools.”

　　Putin said, "(Russia's) retaliatory measures will be preventive, because the cap does no obvious damage to Russia."

　　Regarding the gas price ceiling set by the West, Putin said, "This is not how the gas market works, and it will lead to serious consequences."

　　Regarding the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosion, Putin said "this is an act of terrorism. Everyone recognizes this. But — surprisingly — this is an international act, I would say, state terrorism .Why? Because individuals do not have the support of state agencies to carry out such attacks. Obviously, this is done with the support of the state."

　　When talking about Russia's top priority in 2023, Putin said it is developing infrastructure.