LIVE: Putin addressing Russia.
Announces recognition of LNR and DNR. Laments collapse of Russian Empire and Soviet Union.
Putin characterizes Ukraine as a corrupt country controlled by oligarchs.
He says the West funded the violent overthrow of the legitimate Ukrainian government.
Putin is now listing atrocities that were committed by Ukrainian nationalists.
He highlights the burning alive of innocent people in the trade union of Odessa.
Says Russia will punish those responsible – leaves unstated how they will be captured.
Putin accuses Ukraine of "derussification."
Blames government in Kiev for attempting to purge the Russian language and culture from the country.
Putin accuses Ukraine of cooperating with Islamic terrorists against Crimea.
Says Ukraine is seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.
Claims Ukraine poses a threat to Russia's national security, but is protected by the West.
Putin says it is irrelevant that Ukraine might not become a member of NATO tomorrow.
Says it could be "the day after tomorrow." Makes no difference from the historical perspective.
Argues that de facto NATO bases are already in Ukraine.
WOAH: Putin publicly reveals for the first time that he approached Bill Clinton about Russia joining NATO.
Putin says that Russian intelligence indicates Ukrainian membership in NATO is only a matter of time.
Says the danger to Russia's security will exponentially increase, due to danger to Russian homeland from missiles based in Ukraine.
Rhetoric similar to Cuban missile crisis.
Putin claims that Russia is threatened with sanctions without any reason – simply because it "exists."
Claims that the true goal of the West is simply to stop Russia from growing stronger, being sovereign.
Putin blames the West for being in denial about a genocide being carried out against 4 million people in Donbas.
Says that, because Ukraine only recognizes a military solution, Russia will sign treaties with LNR & DNR.
🚨Putin makes the most direct threat yet against Ukraine.
He says that those who seized power in Kiev must cease all military actions against the Donbas.
If they don't, they will bear responsibility for the consequences...
This is a threat of war. Period. 🚨
The speech has ended.
President Putin sounded very much like a national leader preparing his country for armed conflict.
It is clear that he does not expect a peaceful solution to the crisis – and that he is ready to lead Russia to war.
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