President Vladimir Putin says he should've acted earlier in Ukraine and prepared more before the full-scale invasion in February 2022
Speaking at a marathon end-of-year press conference, Putin also denies that the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime is a defeat for Russia
The BBC's Russia editor Steve Rosenberg asks Putin if he's succeeded in his goals in Ukraine - the Russian leader insists he has
Putin is attempting to deliver a carefully choreographed positive message despite Ukraine's incursion into Russian territory, our Europe editor writes
Watch: BBC's Steve Rosenberg challenges Putin on 25-year Russian rule
We are now bringing our coverage to a close, but we've got a full write-up of Putin's marathon Q&A available for you to read here.
Thank you for joining us today. The coverage was edited by Johanna Chisholm and Adam Durbin and was written by Rachel Flynn, Paul Kirby, Vitaly Shevchenko and Jamie Whitehead.
Jamie Whitehead
Live reporter
Image source, ReutersVladimir Putin's traditional - and marathon-length - end-of-year press conference has concluded.
The Russian leader discussed a wide range of domestic and global concerns, which also saw him fielding questions from the public for more than four hours.
Here are a few of those key lines:
Putin also took the opportunity to address domestic issues including telephone scammers, the country's low birth rate and the problems young people are facing when trying to get a mortgage.
Vitaliy Shevchenko
BBC Monitoring's Russia editor
Let's take you back to a moment from the start of Vladimir Putin's “direct line” with the Russian public.
At the start of his more than four-hour address, the Russian president showed a military flag that he said had been presented to him by soldiers in the 155th Detached Marine Infantry Brigade, complete with their signatures.
Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockThe unit has been involved in the war against Ukraine since day one and has faced accusations of committing atrocities.
For instance, it was accused, external of killing civilians outside Kyiv in the early stages of the full-scale invasion (in Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel).
The day after Ukrainian intelligence listed members of the 155th Brigade as “war criminals”, Vladimir Putin awarded honours to the unit by presidential decree, external.
Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor
Image source, ReutersTwice in Putin's marathon appearance, he blamed former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson for Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine dragging on for almost three years.
Johnson has made clear it's "nothing but total nonsense and Russian propaganda" and it is clearly a Kremlin attempt to distort events from the time.
The second time Putin brought it up it was in response to the BBC's Steve Rosenberg, who asked him if he had taken good care of Russia during his 25 years in power.
"I've done my utmost to ensure Russia is an independent and sovereign state capable of taking decisions for itself," Putin said, pointing out that Russia's economic growth was higher now than most of Europe and "the UK was far behind".
He didn't say inflation in Russia was currently over 9% and interest rates are at 21%.
Russia, he said, was willing to work with the UK if the UK was too.
Then for a second time he reminded viewers that the UK and US had helped Russia survive World War Two with Arctic Convoys as part of what he called the "anti-Hitler coalition".
It was an odd way of putting it, but it shows Putin clearly regrets the collapse in relations with the West, even if he's happy for Russia to go it alone.
And with that, Putin takes his leave of the stage in Moscow.
The Russian leader was answering questions for more than four hours and 31 minutes - according to the graphic which flashed up on screen.
We'll bring you a summary of the key points from the marathon live event shortly, as well as analysis of what the implications of his comments are.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, ReutersOur Russia editor Steve Rosenberg asks one of the final questions put to Putin.
Rosenberg notes the significant losses of Russian troops in Ukraine, the presence of Ukrainian troops on Russian soil in the Kursk region, the expansion of Nato on Russia's borders and rising inflation.
Have you succeeded in your goals, he asks the Russian leader.
Putin says he believes he has, saying Moscow has "moved away from the brink of the abyss". He adds that the country was about to lose its sovereignty when he assumed power.
Putin says the Russian economy has left the UK behind, and says Moscow is ready to work with Britain if they are willing to.
In response to a question about a ceasefire in Ukraine, Putin says Russia's army is advancing and a pause in fighting would give Ukraine a "foothold" and give its soldiers time to entrench and receive munitions.
He says Kyiv is "recruiting people on the streets" - likening it to "catching stray dogs".
The Russian leader also says a long ceasefire would give troops in Ukraine time to train and re-train troops.
"What we need is not a ceasefire, instead we need a lasting peace with guarantees for the Russian federation," he adds.
He discuses proposals put to him by Hungary's PM Victor Orbán and Turkey's President Erdoğan in recent discussions, and goes on to claim that Ukraine had rejected a ceasefire or prisoner exchange.
The Kremlin leader is now being asked whether he has learnt anything about himself during the war.
"I now joke much less," he replies.
The next audience member asks him what he would do differently if he had the chance to go back to February 2022 - when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Putin replies: "Knowing what's happening now, back in 2022 I would've thought the decision ought to have been taken earlier.
"We ought to have started getting ready for those developments, and the special military operation, before," he adds.
Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor
Image source, OLIVIER MATTHYS/EPA-EFEUkraine's Volodymyr Zelensky (L) is currently visiting the EU leaders' summit in Brussels
The Russian leader has made clear Russia is ready for talks with Ukraine on a possible end to the war: "We'll talk to everyone," he told Russians, "we have no preconditions".
But he won't talk to Ukraine's head of state, only parliament, because presidential elections were postponed this year and he doesn't view Volodymyr Zelensky as legitimate. So it is difficult to see how real talks could happen as Ukraine won't hold fresh elections before Russia's war comes to an end.
It's not as if Putin's own legitimacy hasn't been called into question.
Although he sealed a fifth term as president this past March, no genuine opposition candidate was allowed to stand and Russia's biggest opposition figure, Alexei Navalny, died in jail inside the Arctic Circle in February.
Putin is most likely holding out for Donald Trump to take office next month before he gets involved in real talks: "I'm ready for that, of course, at any time, and I'm ready to meet him if he wants to."
Trump won't find it easy if he does.
Germany's Olaf Scholz spoke to Putin over the phone recently and described the experience as "frustrating...because he just repeated all his formulas".
Vitaliy Shevchenko
BBC Monitoring's Russia editor
Time and again, Vladimir Putin is asked about the benefits for soldiers involved in his “special military operation” against Ukraine, as well as the payments they receive if they're injured or killed.
This reflects the level of anxiety in Russia over losses sustained in the war - and also highlights a key reason why so many Russians are willing to join the fight.
A joint project involving the BBC, the Russian website Mediazona and a group of volunteers has been able to establish the names of more than 83,000 Russian troops killed in the war, but the total number is believed to be much higher.
A graphic is now being shown at the press conference, which indicates that this morning's Q&A has now been going for three hours and 17 minutes. More than 2.4 million questions have been submitted to the president.
So next on the running order is a "small blitz" of more questions.
Putin is asked about officials asking for instructions during meetings he holds.
"Don't be angry with officials," he replies, "the decision-making process is a complicated one".
Back to taking questions from the media, the Russian president is now asked by a Turkish journalist to comment on Israel's war in Gaza.
"Our stance is not subject to political experience," Putin says. "The resolution of the Palestine issue can be obtained only with the help of removing the root causes."
He goes on to say the UN Security Council favours a two-state solution, saying Israel "was established, Palestine is yet to be established".
Describing this as a problem, Putin continues: "Israel has been continuing its unlawful settlement activities," saying he isn't sure what goals Israel is pursuing.
Putin is also asked to comment on the Israeli military's move into a buffer zone separating the Golan Heights from Syria in the days following Assad's departure.
He says Israel is trying to resolve its security issues, and goes on to claim they are building fortifications and have deployed thousands of troops inside Syria.
Putin is now asked by a member of the audience about why Russia doesn't "cherish and protect [its] heroes enough".
He replies by describing a recent visit he made to a rehabilitation centre, where soldiers have tumours, injuries and missing limbs.
"But I can see they have a spark in their eye because they are willing to work...the only thing they need is a helping hand," he adds.
Putin is now taking a series of video questions from the public asking for help on various issues they are facing.
A young couple tell him they have not been able to get a mortgage, and ask about the future of the family mortgage - saying banks are running out of limits and don't want to approve applications.
Another member of the public, Yelena, tells Putin she was recently a victim of fraud and asks if banks will be more robust in checking loan applications from pensioners.
Putin gives lengthy answers to both, and explains his reasons for what he believes have caused the problems.
He gives assurances that the issues will be resolved.
After Putin spends some time talking about telephone scammers, one of the two co-hosts claims many of them are based in Ukraine and suggests that they become targets for Russian air strikes.
“No,” says Putin. “We are not going to waste ammunition on them.”
Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockA little while ago, Putin claimed Russia was prepared for negotiations with Ukraine. He was asked whether he was prepared to compromise "in any way" over Ukraine.
Putin replies that "politics is the art of compromise" and says Russia has always said it is prepared for compromise and negotiations.
He claims Ukraine has refused to hold negotiations.
He says they achieved an agreement in Istanbul in 2022, which he says Ukraine agreed to, but went back on their position.
Putin says Ukraine pulled out because former Prime Minister Boris Johnson - with the "great hair" - travelled to Ukraine and said "they need to fight to the last Ukrainian".
He says that is what Kyiv is doing now, before adding: "I don't think there's any left."
For context, peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were held in Istanbul in 2022, where a draft Russia-Ukraine agreement was negotiated. Reports say the Kremlin demanded Ukraine give up Crimea and the Donbas region, reduce its military and end its plan to enter Nato - unthinkable demands for most Ukrainians.
Boris Johnson told the House of Commons in September 2022 that "any such deal or compromise would send a signal around the world that violence does pay off... and the great democracies will not have the stomach to stick up for freedom".
But in response to Putin's claims, Johnson told the Times in September they are "nothing but total nonsense and Russian propaganda".
Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor
Image source, Ukrainian rescue serviceUkrainian firefighters in Dnipro tackle a fire caused by Russia's Oreshnik missile last month
A bit earlier, while taking questions about Russia's new ballistic missile, Vladimir Putin said: "Let's conduct this duel and look at the outcome."
This felt the most menacing moment of Putin's remarks so far, as he casually suggested that Russia and the US take up a challenge on the newly deployed Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile.
Russia would fire the Oreshnik at a designated target and Ukrainian air defence would try to bring it down, he said.
Putin has long touted Russia's modern military technology, but most of it has been found wanting in Ukraine.
The hypersonic Oreshnik looks different and Putin has threatened to use it against Ukraine's government district in Kyiv. Several warheads slammed almost simultaneously at great force into Dnipro's Pivdenmash factory last month, so Ukraine knows the missile's potential power.
The US warned last week that Russia might use it again in the coming days. A US official made clear the Oreshnik could not alter the course of the war, partly because Russia didn't have many of them.
But Putin knows he can use the threat of the Oreshnik to intimidate his enemy.
Image source, MaxarBy Nick Eardley, Joshua Cheetham and Paul Brown
Russia is moving a large amount of military equipment in Syria, signalling preparations for a partial withdrawal, analysts say.
Satellite images reveal a build-up of military vehicles at a Russian-controlled port and airbase in western Syria.
Transport aircraft also appear to have arrived and departed the country in recent days.
BBC Verify has also geolocated videos showing extensive columns of Russian military trucks moving north towards these bases.
The Institute for the Study of War suggests this indicates preparations for a reduction or complete withdrawal of Russian forces.
The Washington-based think tank added that moving military vehicles to its bases may be a precautionary measure while Moscow negotiates with the new government in Damascus.
Image source, MaxarVitaliy Shevchenko
BBC Monitoring's Russia editor
Putin is tackling another sensitive issue – falling birth rates in Russia.
The number of women of birth-bearing age has fallen by a third in Russia since the break-up of the USSR, he says.
“We need girls. Women,” he says.
The Russian president also goes on to direct regional governors that their days at work must “begin and end” with tackling demographic issues.
What Putin does not say is that those issues have been exacerbated by huge losses suffered by Russia in his “special military operation” against Ukraine.
Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor
Image source, ReutersRussia's airbase at Hmeimim is a vital hub for the military in the Mediterranean
A bit more context on those Russian bases in Syria.
Russia has had a military foothold in Syria since the Cold War in the early 1970s, and Putin doesn't want to lose it. That's why he's suggesting Russia's two bases in Syria could be put to humanitarian use, however unlikely that might be.
When Syria's civil war started in 2011, Putin decided to give full support to dictator Bashar al-Assad, so Russia built up its base at the port of Tartous and established an airbase further up the Mediterranean coast at Hmeimim.
The bases were used not just to shore up Assad before he was deposed, but to bomb opposition groups as well as civilians in Syria's biggest cities.
Syria's new rulers haven't yet said whether they want the Russians out, but there have already been signs of at least a potential partial withdrawal.
The two bases are a vital hub for Putin, not just for maintaining Russian influence in the Middle East but also for supporting Russian paramilitary operations in Africa.
Putin has told his audience that Assad's downfall is not a "defeat" for Russia, but if he loses his two bases in Syria it certainly would be.
Returning to the topic of Syria, Putin is now discussing the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Russia had been military supporting the country for years and Moscow's firepower had helped keep Assad in power throughout Syria's civil war.
Putin begins by saying the former president's forces abandoned their posts without resisting, which explains the speed of the defeat. He denies the collapse of his ally represents a defeat for Russia
Putin goes on to talk about the status of Russia's military bases in Syria, saying they are talking to partners on the ground and claims they will keep control of them.
He adds the claim that these bases will be used to distribute humanitarian aid.
For context: Satellite imagery shows Russian forces appearing to be readying to withdraw their equipment from their bases in Syria
Image source, Reuters