13 hours ago (Updated: 8 hours ago)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, 21 February 2022 - Sputnik International, 1920, 24.02.2022
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Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk republics after a new spike in violence by Kiev's forces.
Putin has directed Russian forces to conduct a special operation in the Donbass region, according to 24 February remarks from the Russian president. Putin declared that he expects consolidated parliamentary support for the operation in the Donbass region.
Putin remarked that the NATO-allied war machine supporting neo-Nazis in Ukraine is moving and closely approaching Russia's borders.
"Leading NATO countries pursue their own goal by fully supporting Ukraine's extreme Nazis and neo-Nazis, who, in turn, will never forgive the people of Crimea and Sevastopol for their free choice to reunify with Russia", said the Russian president. "They will, of course, go to Crimea, like to Donbass, the way they do it, to kill, like executioners from the bands of Ukrainian Nazi supporters of Hitler were killing innocent people during World War II".
Putin emphasised that Russia, for the past 30 years, has been attempting to negotiate NATO non-expansion to the east, despite being faced with deceit and blackmail.
He also acknowledged that a Russian clash with Ukrainian nationalist forces is "inevitable".
"Now, they also want to possess nuclear weapons", he said, referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claim that Kiev may reconsider the country's non-nuclear status under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. "We will not let them do that".
Russian forces have no intention of occupying Ukraine, Putin noted. However, Russia will defend itself if the need arises.
The Russian president took time to address Ukrainian forces, urging Kiev's service members to lay down their arms and remember that they gave an oath to the people, not a junta.
"The circumstances make us take decisive and immediate actions. The people's republics of Donbass asked Russia for assistance", Putin said. "In this regard, in accordance with Article 51, Part 7 of the UN Charter, with the sanction of the Federation Council and in pursuance of the friendship and mutual assistance treaties with the DPR and LPR, ratified by the Federal Assembly, I have decided to conduct a special military operation".
Putin said that while politics is a dirty business, NATO's actions are contrary to morality and Russia cannot develop, feel safe, or exist with constant threats from Ukraine.
"We remember that in 2000 and 2005, we gave a military rebuff to terrorists in the Caucasus. We defended the integrity of our state, preserved Russia", the Russian president pointed out. "In 2014, they supported the Crimeans and Sevastopol residents. In 2015, the armed forces were used to put up a reliable barrier to the penetration of terrorists from Syria into Russia".
Putin noted that Russia had no option but to protect itself then, and the "same thing is happening now".
"We treat with respect and will also treat so all the newly formed countries in the post-Soviet space. We respected and will continue to respect their sovereignty", the Russian president said, highlighting the assistance Russia extended earlier this year to Kazakhstan amid increasingly violent protests.
The Russian president's Thursday morning remarks occurred alongside a meeting of the United Nations Security Council meeting that was already underway. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the meeting claiming he was "wrong" to not believe the rumours of a Russian "invasion" of Ukraine.
Additionally, US President Joe Biden issued a press release Wednesday night warning Russia that "further consequences" will occur as the world seeks to "hold Russia accountable" for the situation in Ukraine.
Biden noted that a meeting with G7 counterparts has been scheduled for Thursday.
U.S. President Joe Biden provides an update on Russia and Ukraine during remarks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., February 22, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - Sputnik International, 1920, 24.02.2022
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Russia is ready to respond immediately to those who interfere and create more threats, according to Putin.
"My dear fellow citizens, I am certain that the soldiers and officers of the Russian Armed Forces who are loyal to their country will do their duty working together effectively", Putin said. "I have no doubt that all levels of power will work together and be effective".
