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CNBC: ‘They started the war’: Russia’s Putin blames West and Ukraine for provoking conflict
* Western nations and Ukraine have repeatedly rejected Putin’s narrative.
* The U.S. administration on Saturday formally concluded that Moscow had committed “crimes against humanity” during its year-long invasion of its neighbor.
* Feb. 24 will mark one year since Russia mounted a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, beginning a ground war in Europe that Putin still refers to as a “special military operation.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday used a highly anticipated speech to deny responsibility for the war in Ukraine and lash out at his adversaries.
His comments come despite repeated rejections of Putin’s narrative surrounding the war by Western nations and Ukraine. Feb. 24 will mark one year since Russia mounted a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, beginning a ground war in Europe that Putin still refers to as a “special military operation.”
Intense fighting continues across the war-torn nation with the death toll reportedly in the tens of thousands.
Read more ….
WNU Editor: The part of his speech that caught my attention was this …. Putin accuses NATO of direct involvement in attacks on Russia (RT).
TASS has complete coverage of Putin’s speech here …. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s address to the Federal Assembly (TASS).
Russian President Putin’s Address To The Federal Assembly
West playing with ‘stacked deck’ – Putin — RT
Western sanctions on Russia failed – Putin — RT
Putin chides West, defends Ukraine invasion in major speech — Politico/AP
Putin chides West, defends Ukraine invasion in major speech — France 24
Putin blames war on West, suspends nuclear disarmament pact — DW
Putin promotes Russian escalation in annual speech — BBC
Ukraine war: President Putin speech fact-checked –– BBC
Putin’s state of the nation speech: What exactly did he say? — Al Jazeera
From New START Freeze to Reasons for Ukraine Op: Key Takeaways From Putin’s Federal Assembly Address — Sputnik