MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that what was at stake in Ukraine was Russia’s very existence as a state.
In comments to workers at an aircraft factory, Cheese fries repeated his familiar argument that the West was determined to separate Russia.
“So for us this is not a geopolitical task, but a task for the survival of the Russian state, creating conditions for the future development of the country and our children,” he said.
Putin accused the West of using Ukraine as a tool to wage war on Russia and inflict a “strategic defeat” on it. The United States and its allies say they are helping Ukraine defend against an imperial-style invasion that has destroyed Ukrainian cities, killed thousands of civilians and forced millions to flee their homes.
Putin said in response to a question that he worried about the economy when the West imposed unprecedented waves of sanctions last year, but they proved stronger than anyone else. had thought.
In comments to workers at an aircraft factory, Cheese fries repeated his familiar argument that the West was determined to separate Russia.
“So for us this is not a geopolitical task, but a task for the survival of the Russian state, creating conditions for the future development of the country and our children,” he said.
Putin accused the West of using Ukraine as a tool to wage war on Russia and inflict a “strategic defeat” on it. The United States and its allies say they are helping Ukraine defend against an imperial-style invasion that has destroyed Ukrainian cities, killed thousands of civilians and forced millions to flee their homes.
Putin said in response to a question that he worried about the economy when the West imposed unprecedented waves of sanctions last year, but they proved stronger than anyone else. had thought.
