Speech to the nation

“Tragic consequences”: Putin threatens the West with attack

(Bild: AP)

Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has openly threatened the West in his state of the nation address. If NATO states were to send troops to Ukraine to fight against Russia, the consequences of such a step could be "far more tragic" than in previous conflicts.

Putin drew the West's attention to the potential of the Russian military: "They should finally realize that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory." He did not explicitly mention nuclear weapons until he accused the West of conjuring up the danger of a nuclear conflict.

(Bild: AP)

"Real danger"
"Everything that the West comes up with, with which they frighten the world, creates the real danger of a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons, which means the extinction of civilization," the Russian president said on Thursday.

During Putin's speech, a minute's silence was held for those killed in Ukraine.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Alexander NEMENOV)

Perpetrator-victim reversal
At the same time, Putin rejected claims that Russia wanted to attack the West as "nonsense". Rather, the country would ramp up its armaments complex for its own security and also further strengthen the western flank of the giant empire due to the threat posed by NATO expansion. 

The Kremlin leader's remarks are also a reaction to the latest move by French head of state Emmanuel Macron, who brought up the possible deployment of Western ground troops in Ukraine. Statements by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who accuses his allies of active warfare in Ukraine, are also likely to be grist to Putin's mill. 

Putin once again offered the USA a dialog on strategic security in the world. Russia and the USA had suspended or terminated several disarmament treaties in the course of their conflict. In his last State of the Union address, Putin declared the suspension of the "New Start" nuclear disarmament treaty. Russia would be ready for new talks if the USA stopped aiming for Moscow's strategic defeat.

A strong global order is not possible without a strong Russia, the President continued. He was prepared to talk about a "Eurasian security architecture". The USA had dismantled security in Europe. The West was trying to draw Russia into an arms race. In this context, Putin criticized the admission of Finland and Sweden to NATO.

Together we can do anything.

Der russische Machthaber über die Annexion der Krim

People work "in three shifts" for the war
According to Putin, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is supported by the "absolute majority of the population" of Russia. In his address to the Federal Assembly - the State Duma and the Federation Council - he thanked the citizens and entrepreneurs for their support in the "special military operation". The people worked "in three shifts" to meet the needs of the front, the President continued. He called for a minute's silence for the fallen.

Putin also commemorated the 10th anniversary of the annexation of Crimea, when Russia annexed the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula in 2014. The country looks back "with pride" on the event and what has been achieved. "Together we can do anything," he said. Russia would not allow anyone to interfere in its internal affairs.

Speech shortly before re-election
It is considered certain that the 71-year-old will be confirmed in office for the fifth time in the presidential election scheduled for March 15-17. No real opposition is permitted and opponents of the Kremlin are calling it a sham election. Putin's competitors support the Kremlin leader's policies and are seen by government critics as fig leaves to maintain the appearance of democracy.