Putin: World at 'turning point'; West waged 'real war' against Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the West has unleashed a "real war" against his country, pledging that the fight with the US and its allies over Ukraine will end in Russia's victory.
"Today, civilization is again at a decisive turning point. A real war has been unleashed against our homeland," Putin said in a speech on Moscow's Red Square on Tuesday as Russia is marking the anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.
He also vowed to continue to defend the pro-Russian population in eastern Ukraine and protect Russian benefits against Western ambitions.
"We have repulsed international terrorism, we will protect the inhabitants of Donbas, we will ensure our security."
Putin slammed "Western global elites", saying they are "sowing hatred, Russophobia, and aggressive nationalism."
Elsewhere in his remarks, he noted that the Ukrainian people had become "hostages to a state coup" and to the ambitions of the West.
Noting that the US and its Western allies had forgotten the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, Putin vowed that the fight with the West over Ukraine would end in Russia's victory.
Moscow says it started the war in Ukraine in February 2022 in order to defend the pro-Russian population in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, known collectively as Donbas, against persecution by Kiev, and also to "de-Nazify" its neighbor.
Russia holds that the West's anti-Russian agendas, including its eagerness for inclusion of Ukraine in NATO -- and, therefore, the Western military alliance's expansion right up to Russia's borders -- forced Moscow to launch the war on the ex-Soviet Republic.
Also on Tuesday, Putin stressed the importance of the efforts exerted by Russian forces fighting in Ukraine, adding that his entire country supports the "special military operation" in Ukraine.
"There is nothing more important now than your combat effort," Putin said, adding "the security of the country rests on you today, the future of our statehood and our people depend on you."
"The whole country rallied to support our heroes. Everyone is ready to help, praying for you," he said of the Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.
His speech was followed by a huge military parade across Red Square as part of Russia's Victory Day celebrations.
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