Putin pledges victory over a West intent on ‘destroying Russia’

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has pledged victory over a West, which he said was intent on “destroying Russia,” at a New Year message to the Russian soldiers fighting against “neo-Nazis” in Ukraine.

In a recorded video message broadcast on national television on Saturday, Putin pledged victory over Ukraine and a West bent on “destroying Russia.”

“The West lied about peace,” said the Russian leader. “It was preparing for aggression ... and now they are cynically using Ukraine and its people to weaken and split Russia.”

“We have never allowed this, and never will allow anybody to do this to us.”

Russian soldiers, Putin said, were fighting for "our motherland, truth and justice ... so that Russia's security can be guaranteed."

The president's remarks were being broadcast only hours before the New Year, as the war in Ukraine drags into its 11th month with no end in sight.

The past year had "put a lot of things in their place – clearly separating courage and heroism from betrayal and cowardice," Putin said referring to those opposed to the war in Ukraine.

Lavrov: Russia will achieve its goals in Ukraine

Russia

He also dismissed Kiev's calls for Russia to pull out its troops as a precursor to negotiations, saying Russia was "defending our people and our historical territory."

"Together, we will overcome all difficulties and preserve our country's greatness and independence."

"We will triumph, for our families and for Russia," Putin said.

Russia launched its “special military operation” in Ukraine on February 24. Moscow said the operation was aimed at defending the pro-Russia population in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk against alleged persecution by the government in Kiev. Putin said at the time that the operation was meant to "de-Nazify" Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials say they will not negotiate over territory overtaken by Russia, including the four regions that Moscow has annexed. Russia, however, says any proposal to end the war must take into account "today's realities," in reference to the annexation of the four regions.

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