The Russian President defends military actions and criticises Western attempts to undermine his nation.
Vladimir Putin has declared in a national address that the West is attempting to “cancel” Russia, as tensions remain high in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The Russian leader accused Western powers of striving for global control and claimed his country had no choice but to undertake a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Addressing his audience, Putin dismissed recent statements from Volodymyr Zelensky’s historic address to the US Congress, during which the Ukrainian president compared the war’s atrocities to the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and called for increased military support. Despite Zelensky’s rhetoric, Putin remained firm, asserting that Russia would not retreat in the face of Western pressure.
In his speech, Putin alleged that Ukraine had been preparing for aggression against Russia with the backing of Western nations. “The West doesn’t even hide that its goal is to damage the Russian economy and undermine every Russian citizen,” he declared. Furthermore, he accused the West of attempting to create an “anti-Russia” without genuine concern for the welfare of the Ukrainian people.
The speech comes amid escalating reports of violence. According to US diplomats, Russian forces killed ten civilians in Chernihiv, a city in northern Ukraine, as they waited in line for bread on Wednesday. The American Embassy in Kyiv condemned the attack, tweeting: “Today, Russian forces shot and killed 10 people standing in line for bread in Chernihiv. Such horrific attacks must stop. We are considering all available options to ensure accountability for any atrocity crimes in Ukraine.”
While this claim has not yet been independently verified, the alleged incident highlights the continued suffering and devastation in the conflict zone.
Putin’s rhetoric signals his unyielding stance on the West’s perceived geopolitical ambitions and the challenges of the war, while his government remains under scrutiny for alleged acts of violence and human rights abuses in Ukraine.
