Russian President Vladimir Putin has again lashed out at Western governments in his year-end address, in which he accused the West of «lying about peace» while «preparing for aggression,» with Ukraine as an alleged pawn for a wider conflict.
«They cynically use Ukraine to weaken and divide Russia,» said the Russian president, who instead of addressing the nation from the Kremlin, has recorded his speech from the offices of the southern military district, i.e. next to servicemen directly involved in the military offensive launched in February on Ukraine.
Putin has stated that now the West «confesses without any qualms» that they did not intend peace and in no way wanted to solve the «serious conflict» in the Donbas, the eastern part of Ukraine where a separatist rebellion broke out in 2014.
«In reality, they supported in all areas the neo-Nazis, who continued to carry out military actions, openly terrorist, against the civilians of the people’s republics,» the Russian president added.
Putin, in fact, stressed that the offensive launched in February was only aimed at defending civilians who «for eight years have been victims of genocide» by the Ukrainian authorities, according to excerpts from the speech reported by official news agencies.
The broadcast of this speech coincided with a new wave of air strikes on different regions of Ukraine, including Kiev, where at least one person was killed and several more were wounded.
«WAR OF SANCTIONS»
The Russian president has also charged against the «war of sanctions» initiated as a result of the invasion of Ukraine, although he has claimed the strength of the country against those who expected its «total destruction».
Regarding the Russian military personnel killed in the framework of these operations, Putin has committed himself to help the families to «raise their children», giving them education and helping them to have a job.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
