The anxiety comes as Russia's inflation remains high, and the country's massive defense spending jostles with social spending.

Putin claims no "willingness from Ukraine" to negotiate a peace deal as he touts battlefield gains, and Kyiv claims a brazen strike on a ship far from Russia.

Follow live updates from NBC News as Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at his annual year-end news conference on Ukraine, peace, war and Trump.

As the war between Russia and Ukraine persists, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his nation's "troops are advancing," The Associated Press reported.

President Vladimir Putin's epic annual press conference on Friday was punctuated by bizarre moments and occasional barbs from ordinary Russians venting their frustration via unfiltered text messages.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Moscow’s troops are advancing across the battlefield in Ukraine, voicing confidence that the Kremlin’s military goals will be achieved

Putin set out the Kremlin's stance in the opening moments of his annual end-of-year press conference, a marathon event that typically runs for four hours.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual marathon press conference is perhaps best summarized as a mashup of a municipal board meeting and geopolitical talkfest.

The young journalist in a red bow tie stood during President Vladimir Putin's annual news conference Friday and displayed a sign saying he wanted to get married. Putin complimented Kirill Bazhanov of Yekaterinburg’s Channel 4 on his snazzy tie,

The Kremlin fueled the rise of Trump’s friend Steve Witkoff with a prisoner release, sidelining career diplomats.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow won't attack other nations if its treated "with respect" and claimed he is "ready and willing" to end the Ukraine war "peacefully."