Putin ready to meet Trump for Ukraine deal talks

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he was ready for talks at "any time" with US President-elect Donald Trump, who has touted his ability to strike a Ukraine peace deal within hours of coming to office.

Holding his annual end-of-year press conference, the 72-year-old Kremlin leader said his troops held the upper hand across the battlefield and he only regretted not starting the offensive earlier.

But he was forced to admit he does not know when Russia will take back the western Kursk region where Ukrainian troops launched an incursion in August.

Asked about Trump's overtures regarding a possible peace deal, Putin said he would welcome a meeting with the incoming Republican.

"I don't know when I'm going to see him. He isn't saying anything about it. I haven't talked to him in more than four years. I am ready for it, of course. Any time," Putin said.

"If we ever have a meeting with President-elect Trump, I am sure we'll have a lot to talk about," he said, adding that Russia was ready for "negotiations and compromises".

Trump, who will return to the White House in January, has stoked fears in Kyiv that he could force Ukraine to accept peace on terms favourable to Moscow.

The traditional annual question and answer sessions are largely a televised show while also being a rare setting in which Putin is put on the spot with some uncomfortable questions.

Putin spoke for just under four and a half hours.

Kursk offensive

Russia's troops have been advancing in eastern Ukraine for months, with Putin repeatedly touting their prowess on the battlefield.

But asked by a woman from the Kursk region when residents will be able to return to their homes there, after thousands were evacuated from frontline areas amid the Ukrainian assault, Putin said he could not name a date.

"We will absolutely kick them out. Absolutely. It can't be any other way. But the question of a specific date, I'm sorry, I cannot say right now," he admitted.

Putin was also pressed on economic headwinds facing Russia — the fallout from a huge ramp-up in military spending and deep labour shortages caused by the conflict.

He insisted that the situation is "stable, despite external threats," citing low unemployment and industrial growth.

Asked about soaring inflation, Putin said that "inflation is a worrying signal", and that price rises for foods such as butter and meat are "unpleasant".

He acknowledged that Western sanctions were also a factor — while not of "key significance" — and said he hoped the central bank, expected to raise interest rates again Friday to cool inflation, would take a "balanced" decision.