Before launching the largest state-on-one attack in Europe since World War II, Putin addressed his nation. In the early hours of Thursday, February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed his nation, announcing a "special military operation" against Ukraine.
The speech follows his decision to recognize the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic on 21 February and the signing of mutual cooperation agreements between Russia and the two breakaway regions.
Below are the highlights based on the transcript published by the Russian Presidency:
"Respected citizens of Russia! Dear friends!
"Today, I once again consider it necessary to return to the tragic events taking place in Donbass and to the key issue of Russian security. Let me begin with what I said in my speech on February 21. I am referring to what we are particularly concerned about and concerned about – those fundamental threats to our country that year after year, step by step, are created offensively and unceremoniously by irresponsible politicians in the West.
"I am referring to NATO's eastward expansion, bringing its military infrastructure closer to Russia's borders. It is well known that for 30 years we have been working with perseverance and patience to reach an agreement with the main NATO countries on the principles of equal and inviolable security in Europe. In response to our proposals, we were constantly confronted with either cynical deceptions and lies, or attempts at pressure and blackmail, while NATO, despite all our protests and concerns, continued to expand steadily. The war machine is on the move and, I repeat, it is getting closer to our borders.
"After the collapse of the USSR, the realignment of the world began and the norms of international law that had been elaborated – the main, most fundamental ones adopted in the aftermath of the Second World War and largely consolidating its results – began to prevail. the path of the self-proclaimed victor of the Cold War
"Of course, in practical life, in international relations and the rules that governed them, it was necessary to take into account the changes in the state of affairs in the world and the balance of power. This should have been done with professionalism, gentleness, patience, taking into account and respecting the interests of all countries and understanding one's own responsibility. But no, the euphoria of absolute superiority, a kind of modern-day absolutism, and the low level of general culture and arrogance of the decision-makers [resulted] in prepared, adopted and advanced decisions that were beneficial only to themselves. The situation began to evolve according to a different scenario.
"You don't have to look far from examples. First, without any approval from the UN Security Council, they conducted a bloody military operation against Belgrade, using planes and missiles right in the center of Europe. [They carried out] several weeks of continuous bombing of cities and critical infrastructure. These facts must be recalled, because some Western colleagues do not like to remember these events, and when we talk about them, they prefer to point out not the norms of international law, but the circumstances that they interpret as they see fit.
"Then came the turn of Iraq, Libya, Syria. The illegitimate use of military force against Libya, the distortion of all the decisions taken by the UN Security Council on the Libyan issue have led to the total destruction of the state, the emergence of a major hotbed of international terrorism, a humanitarian catastrophe and a civil war that is not over to date. The tragedy, to which they condemned hundreds of thousands, millions of people not only in Libya, but throughout this region, caused a massive wave of migration from North Africa and the Middle East to Europe.
"They have ensured a similar fate for Syria. The military activities of the Western coalition on the territory of this country without the consent of the Syrian government or the approval of the UN Security Council are nothing but aggression, intervention.
"However, there is a special place for the invasion of Iraq, which was also carried out without any legal basis. They put forward as a pretext supposedly reliable information from the United States about the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. As proof, publicly, in front of the eyes of the whole world, the US Secretary of State shook a kind of test tube with white powder, assuring everyone that this is a chemical weapon under development in Iraq. And then it turned out that all this was just a hoax, a bluff: there were no chemical weapons in Iraq.
"In this context, there were promises made to our country not to expand NATO even an inch to the east. Again, they deceived us, in other words, they simply defrauded us. Yes, we often hear that politics is a dirty business. Maybe [that's the way it is], but not to that extent. After all, such cheating behavior contradicts not only the principles of international relations, but above all generally recognized moral norms. Where is justice and truth here? Just lies and total hypocrisy.
"By the way, American politicians, political scientists and journalists themselves write and say that in recent years, a veritable 'empire of lies' has been created inside the United States. It's hard to disagree with that, because it's true. But let's not underestimate: the United States is a great country, a system-forming power. All his satellites not only conscientiously agree, sing to his music, but also copy his behavior and enthusiastically accept the rules offered to them. Therefore, with good reason, we can confidently assert that the entire so-called Western bloc, formed by the United States in its image and likeness, is an "empire of lies."
"Despite all this, in December 2021 we again tried to agree with the United States and its allies on the principles of ensuring security in Europe and on the non-enlargement of NATO. Everything was in vain. The American position has not changed. They did not consider it necessary to negotiate with Russia on this important issue for us, continuing to pursue their own objectives and in defiance of our interests.
"As far as the military field is concerned, today, modern Russia, even after the collapse of the USSR and the loss of a significant part of its capability, is one of the most powerful nuclear powers in the world and has some advantages in some of the most recent. types of armament. In this regard, no one should doubt that a direct attack on our country will result in defeat and horrific consequences for any potential aggressor.
"As NATO expands eastward, year after year, our country's situation is getting worse and more dangerous. Moreover, in recent days, NATO leadership has openly spoken about the need to accelerate, to force the advancement of the alliance's infrastructure to Russia's borders. In other words, they are doubling down on their position. We can no longer just watch what happens. That would be absolutely irresponsible on our part.
"The continued expansion of NATO's infrastructure and the start of military development in Ukrainian territories are unacceptable to us. The problem, of course, is not NATO itself – it's just an instrument of US foreign policy. The problem is that in the territories adjacent to us – territories that were historically ours, I insist – an "anti-Russia" that is hostile to us is created, placed under total external control; [it] is densely populated by the armed forces of NATO countries and is equipped with the most modern weapons.
"For the United States and its allies, this is Russia's so-called containment policy, [which brings] clear geopolitical advantages. And for our country, it is ultimately a matter of life and death, a question of our historical future as a people. And that's not an exaggeration – it's true. This is a real threat not only to our interests, but to the very existence of our state, its sovereignty. That is the very red line that has often been talked about. They went through it.
"About the situation in Donbass. We note that the forces that perpetrated a coup in Ukraine in 2014, seized power and maintain it through fictitious electoral procedures, renounced the peaceful settlement of the conflict. For eight years, for eight long years, we have done everything we can to resolve the situation by peaceful and political means. Everything was in vain.
"As I said in my previous speech, you can't look at what's going on there without compassion. It is simply no longer possible to bear all this. It is necessary to immediately stop this nightmare – the genocide against the millions of people who live there, who rely only on Russia, only on us. These aspirations, these feelings, this pain of the people are the main motivation for us to take the decision to recognize the people's republics of Donbass.
"What I think is important to emphasize further is that the main NATO countries, in order to achieve their own goals, support extremist nationalists and neo-Nazis in Ukraine, who, in turn, will never forgive the people of Crimea and Sevastopol for choosing reunification. with Russia.
"They will of course crawl in Crimea, just like in Donbass, to kill, just as the gangs of Ukrainian nationalists, hitler's accomplices, killed defenseless people during the Great Patriotic War. They openly claim a number of other Russian territories.
"The course of events and the information received show that Russia's confrontation with these forces is inevitable. It's only a matter of time: they prepare, they wait for the right moment. Now they also claim to acquire nuclear weapons. We will not allow that to happen.
"We have no other option to protect Russia and our people than the one we will be forced to use today. The situation compels us to take decisive and immediate action. The Donbass People's Republics turned to Russia with a request for help.
"In this regard, in accordance with Article 51 of Part 7 of the Charter of the United Nations, with the approval of the Council of the Russian Federation and pursuant to the treaties of friendship and mutual assistance ratified by the Duma on 22 February with the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic, I have decided to launch a special military operation.
"Its goal is to protect people who have been victims of abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years. And for that, we will continue the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, as well as bringing to justice those who have committed many bloody crimes against civilians, including citizens of the Russian Federation.
"Our plans do not include the occupation of Ukrainian territories. We will not impose anything on anyone by force. At the same time, we learn that recently, in the West, there is talk that the documents signed by the soviet totalitarian regime, guaranteeing the outcome of the Second World War, should no longer be respected. Well, what's the answer to that?
"The outcome of the Second World War, as well as the sacrifices made by our people on the altar of victory over Nazism, are sacred. But this does not contradict the high values of human rights and freedoms, based on the realities that have developed today in the decades following the war. Nor does it nullify the right of nations to self-determination, enshrined in Article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations.
"In this regard, I appeal to Ukrainian citizens. In 2014, Russia was forced to protect the people of Crimea and Sevastopol from those you call the "Nazis." The people of Crimea and Sevastopol chose to be with their historic homeland, with Russia, and we supported that. Again, we simply could not do otherwise.
"What is happening today does not come from a desire to harm the interests of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. It is linked to the protection of Russia itself against those who have taken Ukraine hostage and are trying to use it against our country and its people.
"I must also address the military personnel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
"Dear comrades! Your fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers did not fight the Nazis and defend our common homeland, so that today's neo-Nazis could take power in Ukraine. You have sworn allegiance to the Ukrainian people, not to the anti-national junta that is plundering Ukraine and mistreating its people.
"Don't follow his criminal orders. I urge you to lay down your arms immediately and return home. I would like to make it clear that all soldiers of the Ukrainian army who do so will be able to freely leave the combat zone and return to their families.
"Once again, I insist, all the responsibility for any bloodshed will lie with the conscience of the regime in power in Ukraine.
"Now, a few important words, very important for those who might be tempted to intervene in the ongoing events. Anyone who tries to hinder us or threaten our country or our people should know that Russia's response will be immediate and will lead you to consequences that you have never faced in your history. We are ready for any turn of events. All necessary decisions in this regard have been taken. I hope I will be heard.
"Dear compatriots!
"I am confident that soldiers and officers of the Russian Armed Forces dedicated to their country will perform their duty with professionalism and courage. I am confident that all levels of government, experts responsible for the stability of our economy, financial system and social sphere, business leaders and all Russian companies will act in a coordinated and effective manner. I count on a position of patriotic consensus of all parliamentary parties and public forces.
"As has always been the case in our history, Russia's destiny is in the reliable hands of our multinational people. And this means that the decisions taken will be implemented, the objectives set will be achieved, the security of our homeland will be reliably guaranteed.
"I believe in your support, in this invincible strength that our love for the Fatherland gives us."
Credit-Afrikmag
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