Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with winners and mentors of the Professionals national skill championship at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.Photo by Mikhail Klimentyev/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Putin hails Russia's military performance in Ukraine and he vows to achieve Moscow's goals

· National Post

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Tuesday that the military has seized the initiative on the battlefield in Ukraine after repelling Kyiv’s counteroffensive and is well positioned to achieve Moscow’s goals.

Putin’s speech at a meeting with top military brass came a day after he presented documents to Russia’s Central Election Commission to seek reelection in the March presidential vote that he’s all but certain to win.