Russia-Ukraine War: Vladimir Putin describes the invasion as a “preemptive” attack in the face of the NATO threat

Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, confirmed on Monday in an expected speech he ordered a “preemptive” attack in Ukraine in the face of alleged threats from NATO and the West. For the president, this is “a necessary measure” and the “only one that is possible.”

“We saw how military infrastructure was deployed, how hundreds of foreign experts worked in Ukraine, how they supplied NATO weapons,” he said in his speech in Red Square, on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of Soviet Victory Day in Nazi Germany.

He argued that “the risk is growing every day”, so “Russia has taken a preventive response, it is a necessary measure and the only possible one in this situation“.

“It is a decision of a sovereign, strong and independent country,” he said at the traditional military parade.

He argued that Russia promised to do so “everything is possible so that the horrors of a global war are not repeated”.

“Despite all the differences in international relations, Russia has always promoted a global and indivisible security system, one that is essential for the entire world community,” he said.

Then, he continued his reasoning: “In December we proposed closing an agreement on security guarantees. Russia called on the West for a sincere dialogue, to find reasonable solutions and compromises for the common good. Everything is in vain. NATO countries do not want to listen to uswhich means they have completely different plans and we saw them, ”he said.

Openly, he added, “they are preparing a sanctions on the Donbas, an invasion of our historic territories, including Crimea. In kyiv, they announced the possible acquisition of nuclear weapons and the NATO bloc initiated the active military development of the territories around us“.

“In this way, it systematically creates an intolerable threat for us directly on our borders, “he said, while considering that” everything points to the fact that a confrontation with the neo-Nazis, the supporters of (Ukrainian collaborationist leader Stepan) Bandera (.. .), is inevitable. “

Putin said that on Monday, 77 years after World War II, “Donbas militias together with the Russian Army are fighting on their own land (…)”.

“I appeal today to our Armed Forces and Donbas militiamen: they are fighting for the homeland, for their future, so that no one forgets the lessons of World War II, so that there is no room in the world for executioners, repressors and Nazis“, he pointed out.

Before asking for a minute of silence, Putin bowed his head in memory of all those killed by the Great Patriotic War (1931-1945), in memory of sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, grandfathers’ t grandmother, wife, husband. , siblings, relatives, friends, he said.

“We bow our heads in memory of the martyrs in Odessa, who were burned alive in the House of Trade Unions in May 2014. In memory of the elderly, women and children of the Donbas, the civilians who died from the brutal bombings, barbaric neo-Nazi attacks, ”he stressed.

Putin said that soldiers who fought during the “special military operation” in Ukraine, which he announced on February 24, were participating in the parade.

So far, he has not met the disturbing expectations of those who believe he will formally announce the start of the war on this date.

With information from EFE

DB