As every year, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin This Thursday, he held his usual marathon press conference, where the hottest topics that determine the future were reviewed. Russiafrom war inside Ukraine up to inflationthrough the country’s foreign policy strategy or oppression Internal dispute with opposition leader Alexei Navalny He’s been missing for a week.
Here are five key statements from the meeting:
“Nazification” of Ukraine
“There will be peace when we achieve our goals. They haven’t changed. I’ll remind you what we’re talking about: denazification and Ukraine’s demilitarization, neutral status”.
despite military attack Although they are overwhelmed by Russian commanders who expect less resistance, they continue to argue that Russia will not back down from realizing its goals of turning Ukraine into a puppet state and will not join Ukraine in the first place. NATO, big fear Kremlin.
“Civil war”
“What’s happening looks like a civil war (…) Southeastern Ukraine has always been pro-Russian. What does Ukraine have to do with it? Odessa is generally a Russian city.”
In imperial times, Moscow He sometimes used the nickname “Little Russia” to refer to Ukraine, a terminology disliked by Ukrainians and expressing a sense of Russian power. Currently, this term means that the country is considered the legitimate owner of Ukrainian lands due to the historical legacy of the Russian Empire, and Putin confirms this.
blame europe
“Russia did not spoil relations” Europe“Everything was just the opposite.”
When Putin came to power at the turn of the millennium, he actively worked to reset relations with the West; This dream faded due to disagreements with the West. United States of America within the framework of the revolutions of some former Soviet countries and the subsequent anti-Western turn of Russia. This change was also clearly seen in events such as the annexation of the peninsula. Crimea war on the Russian side Donbas among pro-Russians Kyiv and the allegation that Russia intervened EU.
doctrine of patriotism
“It is extremely important that young people are raised with this awareness.” patriotism”.
Young Russians are the group least supportive of the Russian government and military; This is a situation that the Kremlin wants to combat with a dose of patriotism for young people. That is why he is trying to impress them from schools with recently reprinted manuals about the “special military operation” in Ukraine that contain phrases like “truly patriotic people are ready to defend their own land.” homeland He has a gun in his hand.”
Without war mobilization
“There is no need for a new mobilization in Russia today.”
Although he promoted patriotism and the cult of the army – especially II. World War– Putin knows that many of his citizens do not want to go to the front, so he sent a message to reassure them. General mobilization is something the Kremlin avoids with all its might because it would be very unpopular and could create social unrest or even protests.