Now I understand why he wrote that article about Ukraine last summer: to have something to base this speech on... today's Ukraine is entirely a product of Russian policy... and off he goes.
"We will show Ukraine what real decommunisation is" sounds like a very serious threat to dismember the country.
Russia selflessly helped Ukraine and other newly independent states after collapse of Soviet Union, but Ukrainian nationalists built Ukrainian state against Russia.
Long description of corruption and bad governance in Ukraine, then of "anti-constitutional coup d'état" in 2014. This led the country into a dead-end.
I am beginning to wonder how long he plans on speaking...
Now about foreign agents, international NGOs, international organisations and companies taking over Ukraine. US taking over judicial system under the pretext of more efficient fight against corruption.
Ukraine as a sovereign state simply doesn't exist (say Putin, not I).
Crimea: we have evidence of UA aggressive actions in Crimea. This is against the free will of the Crimean population.
Putin says Ukraine is intend to obtain nuclear weapons. We heard about that in the security council session this afternoon. He takes his advisors very seriously! West might help Ukraine to realise this ambition - yet another security risk for Russia!
NATO actually controls Ukrainian army. So: accession is not even necessary.
Of course every country has the right to chose its own path to security. But not at the cost of others! Refers to Istanbul Document. This has been Russia's line for some time now.
Many Western politicians say Ukrainian NATO membership is not on the table - but that does not change anything in historical perspective. NATO is a defensive alliance - but! NATO assured Russia in 1990 that it would never expand - etc.
Lists US mistakes in areas of arms control and disarmament etc. NATO betrayed Russia in five consecutive waves of enlargement. This is one of the key causes of today's crisis in European security. Total collapse of confidence.
US official documents identify Russia as main adversary and acts accordingly. Russia, on the other hand, always strives for diplomatic solutions even for the most difficult international problems.
Now about the draft treaties of December: Western responses were full of empty words. West ignored that for Russia proposals/demands are a package and need to be treated accordinly.
Instead they try to blackmail, threaten sanctions. But we will not betray our national interests. Our security is at growing risk, so we have the right to take countermeasures.
Now he is back in Donbas: Ukraine's aggression only because people in the Donbas did not want to support anti-constitutional coup d'etat in Kyiv. Russia did everyting in its power for Ukraine's territorial integrity (Minsk Agreements, negotiations).
But Ukraine insists on militarysolution. And now it comes: he calls for recognition and asks the Parliament for support.
And the signature ceremony follows immediately - in the presence of the DLNR "leaders". Putin also announced treaties on friendship and cooperation with both "newly recognised" republics will be concluded soon.
Sorry: the treaties are signed now!
Putin congratulates Pushilin (DNR) and Pasechnik (LNR) - end of transmission.
Final thoughts about today: I suspect Ru will start to move troops and heavy weaponry into the territories tomorrow. This will be accompanied by ecstatic approval of the National Assembly (joint session Duma and Federation Council scheduled for tomorrow).
Possibly they will move beyond the contact line. I would not exclude Kremlin hopes for strong Ukrainian resistance, which would give Moscow a perfect "excuse" and "explanation" for further military action against Ukraine, including, for instance, air strikes against Kyiv.
Kremlin's actions will match RU defensive narrative: we need to defend our security, we need to protect our citizens. The past three days have taught us again that it can all be arranged for. What a catastrophic day in the history of Europe.
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