Thread by @christogrozev

Putin reads long-winded speech, apparently written ages ago, in which he explains Ukraine never really existed and it was artificially created at the detriment of Russia.

"Not only did we accept politely the new reality (that they will exist separately), but we even gave them so much money..."

TLDR; "Ungrateful, cheating bastards, those self-designated Ukrainians, who are in fact Russians"

(I am not exaggerating, this is what he's saying)

"Since 1991, Ukraine chose to go mechanically down a pro-Western way, which has nothing to do with the core values of the people..."

"The nationalist radicals in Ukraine became more and more arrogant.. They changed the true cultural traditions to some fake external semiotics of independence"

"Just the money paid to the Maidan protesters by the US was $1 m per day"

"Ukrainians squandered not only everything we gave them during the USSR, but even everything they inherited from the Russian empire. Even the work places created by Catherine The Great" (not kidding)

"Russian language has been cornered out of every sphere of life, even from shops" (??)

"Ukraine is preparing military action against our country. Ukraine says it will develop nuclear weapons. This is not pure bravado. They inherited our USSR technology. They can get nuclear faster than most" << no way he won't invade and try to get to Kyiv after this.

(here he rants about the US and West helping Ukraine develop its defense capabilities against Russia). Exceeding 30 minutes of rant time already.

Glad the Russian ruble markets are taking it in stride

"I will say something for the first time. In 2000, I asked Pres. Clinton, how would the US react to Russia joining NATO. The reaction from him was, let's say, reserved". (He got offended, so Ukraine will pay now)

Now he reads the long list of countries that asked to join NATO, says this is what destabilized the world (sovereign free will is not a consideration in his world view)

(It doesn't strike him as ironic he reminisces about a president-to-president discussion in 2000 - 22 years ago)

"Western nations are giving us token words about sovereign rights of countries to choose their defense alliances". (Sneers). We have full right to take counter measures to defend our security. And this is what we will do"

"Kyiv's elite has imposed genocide on the people of Donbass... on women and children too. So I will take an immediate decision to recognize the sovereignty and independence of DNR and LNR"

"And a warning to the Kyiv elite that has usurped power: stop any military activity..or you will be responsible for the bloodshed that will ensue"

(and the two self-styled separatist leaders are on site at the Kremlin to sign their "independence")