As best I can tell, Putin is declaring war on live TV at 05:45am Moscow time.
Drawing a series of parallels -- Chechnya, Crimea, Syria, Donbas. "We simply haven't been given another option to defend our people other than the one we are forced to use today."
"The People's Republics of Donbas have asked for our help. ... I have decided to launch a special military operation. ... We will seek to demilitarize and de-nazify Ukraine."
"We do not intend to occupy Ukraine. ... Our policy is based on freedom -- the freedom of choice of all people to choose their own course."
To Ukrainians: "Crimeans and Donbasians decided in 2014 to return to their historical motherland. We could do nothing but support them. ... We have no choice but to defend them against the threats they face."
He is effectively calling on Ukrainian citizens and soldiers to lay down their arms or turn them against their government.
Ok -- not effectively, directly.
"The full responsibility for any bloodshed lies with" the Ukrainian government.
"To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside: if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history. All relevant decisions have been taken. I hope you hear me."
Is he threatening nuclear war?
"To Russian citizens: Only the readiness to fight is enough to support our sovereignty."
And that's it. As always, no clarity whatsoever about exactly what he's going to do.
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