Putin sends wartime appeal to Russians in New Year’s speech

  • Outspokenness at major family festival puts war in focus
  • Putin sees war as a battle for survival that requires sacrifice
  • Russia is ‘defending our people and our historic territories’
  • President accuses West of fomenting conflict

Dec 31 (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin united the Russian people behind his troops fighting in Ukraine in his annual New Year’s address on Saturday, promising victory over Ukraine’s “neo-Nazis”. elements” and Western countries that allegedly intend to “destroy Russia”.

In a scathing and belligerent recorded video message broadcast on state television, Putin described the war, which he called a “special military operation,” as a near-death battle for Russia’s future.

Its soldiers are fighting for “our homeland, truth and justice … so that Russia’s security can be guaranteed,” he said.

For months, the Kremlin described the conflict as a limited campaign that would not affect the lives of most Russians.

But the speech, delivered in front of stern-faced soldiers in combat uniform, put the war center stage, telling families gathered for this year’s main celebrations that everyone’s support and sacrifices will be needed in the coming months.

The news was being broadcast on state television to millions of households as families feasted on festive meals and exchanged gifts just before midnight struck across Russia’s 11 time zones.

As the war enters its 11th month with no end in sight, the Kremlin slowly puts society at war — calling in more than 300,000 reservists, often in chaotic fashion, to reorganize an economy damaged by Western sanctions and sanctions . Publicly speaking the conflict could go on for a long time.

“We will win”

Moscow was unprepared for dogged resistance and billions of dollars in Western weapons that tipped the balance in Ukraine’s favor, forcing Russian troops to withdraw from more than half of the territory they captured in the early weeks of the war.

The nine-minute speech – the longest in Putin’s 22 years in power – was aimed at those opposed to the conflict, a personal struggle that now defines his tenure and Russia’s relationship with the world.

The past year, he said, “put a lot of things in place — separating courage and heroism from treachery and cowardice”.

Putin rejected Kyiv’s call for the withdrawal of Russian troops as a prelude to talks, saying Russia was “defending our people and our historic territory”.

He also accused the West of lying to Russia and provoking Moscow to launch military action.

“The West sings of peace,” Putin said. “It is preparing for aggression … and now they are cynically using Ukraine and its people to weaken and divide Russia.

“We have never allowed and never will allow anyone to do this to us.”

Kyiv and the West reject Putin’s repeated accusations that the Western NATO alliance plans to use Ukraine as a platform to threaten Russia, saying he has waged a war of unwarranted aggression to seize territory and install a regime more in line with his wishes.

Although Russia has not made any significant gains on the battlefield in the past six months, Putin has promised ultimate victory.

“Together we will overcome all odds to preserve the greatness and independence of our country,” he said.

“For our families and Russia, we will win.”

Reporting by Jack Cordell; Editing by Kevin Liffey

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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