Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his New Year’s greetings on Saturday that “moral and historical correctness” is “on the side” of Russia amid an offensive in Ukraine and a crisis with Westerners.
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Mr Putin, speaking alongside soldiers who had fought in Ukraine whom the Kremlin said he had just decorated, spoke of a past year full of “really crucial and important events” that “lay the foundations (…) of our true independence”.
“This is what we are fighting for today, to protect our people in our own historical territories, in the new constituent entities of Russia,” he added.
After Russia launched a military offensive against Ukraine in February, in September Russia called for the annexation of four Ukrainian territories it controls at least partially, along the lines of the Crimean peninsula in March 2014.
The Russian president also castigated “a real sanctions war that was declared on us by the West”. “Those who started it expected the total destruction of our industry, our finances and our transport. That didn’t happen,” he added.
He accused Americans and Europeans of “cynically using Ukraine and its people to weaken and divide Russia.”
“The West lied about peace and prepared for aggression. And today he is not ashamed to admit it in broad daylight,” said the Russian head of state.
“Together we will overcome all difficulties and keep our country great and independent. We will go forward and win, for the good of our families and for the good of Russia,” he concluded.