Watch: Putin holds first press conference since start of Ukraine war | English translation

Vladimir Putin has said “freeloading” Ukraine will eventually run out of Western aid because it manufactures “nothing itself”. “Today Ukraine virtually produces or manufactures nothing,” the Russian president told an end-of-year combined press conference and public phone-in at the Kremlin. “They have been trying to maintain their manufacturing capability but they have actually been importing things for free, freeloading. But it will come to an end sooner or later.” The annual call-in marathon was cancelled last year but has returned ahead of presidential elections in March 2024. It comes as his forces are on the front foot in the war in Ukraine and the Russian leader is buoyed by squabbling in the West over funding for Kyiv. Read all the latest in our live blog: Subscribe to The Telegraph with our special offer: just £1 for 3 months. Start your free trial