Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his State of the Nation address on Thursday, less than three weeks before a presidential election.
Putin began his speech with a series of references to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, or its “special military operation” as he refers to it. He said that Russia had proved its resilience in the face of “the aggression of international terrorism,” and that “we have supported our brothers and sisters and their desire to be with Russia,” a reference to the Kremlin’s frequent claim that it invaded Ukraine to prevent the persecution of Russian-speakers.
He also alluded to Russia’s annexation of Crime in 2014, saying that it was the anniversary of what he termed the “Russian Spring.” Putin claimed that a majority of the population supported the military action in Ukraine.
He said that Russian troops were advancing in a number of areas, with perhaps the most notable recent example being Ukraine’s withdrawal from the city of Avdiivka.
He claimed the Russian military had also gained considerable combat experience in a war that’s now entering its third year. He noted how core factories, for instance those producing ammunition, had moved to a war footing and were operating 24-hours-a-day over three shifts, thanking them for their efforts.
Putin also praised both businesses and private individuals for their financial or other support for the Russian military.
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Putin, who paused for a minute’s silence for fallen Russian soldiers in Ukraine, said Russia would not allow anyone to interfere in its domestic affairs, potentially a reference to the upcoming elections.
“Russia is ready for dialogue with the United States of America on issues of strategic stability,” he said, a reference to talks regarding nuclear weapons such as the New START process suspended by Russia last February.
He accused the West of seeking to weaken Russia from within and of trying to draw it into an arms race. He lauded Russia’s modernized nuclear arsenal, noting it is the world’s largest.
He also mentioned Finland and Sweden joining NATO in the aftermath of the invasion, and said Russia’s western military district would therefore need to be strengthened. Finland has a long land border with Russia.
The president at one point said that NATO countries would risk nuclear war if they were to send troops to Ukraine, a few days after French President Emmanuel Macron hinted at the possibility, prompting various other Western leaders to speak out against the idea.
“Western nations must realize that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory,” Putin said.
“All this really threatens a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons and the destruction of civilization. Don’t they get that?”
He also suggested Western politicians recall the fate of historical leaders like Nazi Germany’s Adolf Hitler and France’s Napoleon Bonaparte who unsuccessfully tried to invade Russia. He said the consequences of such an effort now would be “far more tragic,” and accused his NATO counterparts of believing war to be “a cartoon.”
Television footage showed former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, sitting next to each other and prominently positioned in the audience.
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