Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a suite of forthcoming retaliatory measures in response to proposals by European nations to seize Russian state assets frozen under international sanctions. He also reiterated that Russia would continue its military campaign in Ukraine unless Kyiv withdraws from strategic territories, while expressing conditional openness to a draft peace plan discussed by the United States and Ukraine.
Putin referred to any Western move to appropriate frozen Russian assets as “a theft of property” and warned that it could destabilize the global financial system. He made the remarks in a televised speech on Thursday, amid discussions within the European Union and Group of Seven (G7) about how to use or repurpose over $300 billion in assets frozen since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“Such a decision would not go unpunished,” Putin said, hinting at reciprocal action that could affect European companies or diplomatic entities operating in Russia.
Speaking further on the war in Ukraine, Putin warned that Moscow would press toward its objectives with military force if necessary. “Once Ukrainian troops withdraw from their positions in key areas, then the fighting will stop,” he said. “But if they do not, then Russian forces will achieve their objectives by force.” He added that the pace of Russian advances was “noticeably increasing.”
In a separate set of comments on potential diplomatic resolutions, Putin remarked that a version of the draft peace plan currently under discussion between the United States and Ukraine “can be the basis for future agreements.” He noted that the plan was shared with Russia through discussions in Geneva and emphasized that Washington was “taking into account Russia’s position,” though “some things still need to be discussed.”
Additionally, Putin said Russia is prepared to hold talks with the United States on broader issues including strategic stability, mentioning nuclear testing as one area open for discussion.
The remarks come at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and European countries. Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, reported on Thursday that it detained a man suspected of illegally crossing the closed border near the town of Imatra. Finland had shut its eastern border in December 2023 in reaction to increased regional security concerns.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron announced a new voluntary military service plan to begin in 2025, citing the growing threat posed by Russia. The 10-month national service will recruit young adults aged 18 to 19 for deployment strictly within French territory.
Meanwhile, diplomatic relations between Moscow and Warsaw continued their downward spiral. Russia summoned Poland’s ambassador and ordered the closure of the Polish consulate in Irkutsk as of December 2025, following Poland’s decision to shut Russia’s consulate in Gdansk and allegations of sabotage.
In the sporting arena, the International Judo Federation (IJF) declared that Russian athletes would once again be allowed to compete under their national flag starting with the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. The IJF said its executive committee voted to end the neutral status imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
On the judicial front, a Russian military court sentenced eight individuals to life in prison for their involvement in the 2022 truck bomb attack on the Crimean Bridge, a strategic crossing that links Crimea to mainland Russia. Authorities in Moscow asserted the attack was orchestrated by Ukrainian secret services. The court’s decision was released via Telegram by the Southern Military Court in Rostov-on-Don.
Separately, Romania announced it would purchase over €626 million ($726 million) worth of French-made Mistral air defense systems. The deal, signed with France’s defense ministry, includes 231 man-portable systems and 934 missiles. Romania, a member of both NATO and the EU, shares a 650-kilometer border with Ukraine.
In the United States, several senior Republicans have sharply criticized the Trump administration’s handling of a proposed Ukraine peace plan that reportedly favors Russian positions. Bloomberg News reported that Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff discussed the plan with Yuri Ushakov, a policy aide to Putin, raising alarm among lawmakers. “This so-called ‘peace plan’ has real problems, and I am highly sceptical it will achieve peace,” Senator Roger Wicker said in a statement. Representative Don Bacon added on X, “He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations.” Senator Mitch McConnell also weighed in, calling the effort to reward Russia’s actions “disastrous to America’s interests.”