Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the leaders and spokesmen of the political parties represented in the Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament. Speaking at the meeting at the Kremlin Palace, Putin touched upon the policies of Western countries and Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. Emphasizing the importance of unity in the Russian parliament after the Russian army launched an operation in Ukraine, Putin said, “After February 24, when the special military operation started, all government units and government levels in the country had to act decisively, in harmony and quickly. I want to thank you for working in this direction today. I would like to especially thank the parties in the parliament for the organized humanitarian support of the residents of Donbass. Because the media handled this study in different ways. “I also know that many lawmakers who have been officially licensed go to the war zone to risk their own lives to provide food, medicine and basic supplies, and to quickly distribute humanitarian aid,” he said.
‘RUSSIA HAS MANY SUPPORTERS’
Stating that there are people in the world who support them in response to the propaganda of Western countries against them regarding the operations in Ukraine, Putin said, “We have many supporters inside the USA, in Europe and even in other continents.”
Criticizing the sanctions initiated by Western countries against them, Putin said, “The unlawful decisions taken against Russia create difficulties for us. But it is not a reliable thing for those who started the economic intimidation against Russia. Their aim was to cause discord, turmoil and demoralize people in our society. But even here they miscalculated. Nothing came of it and I’m sure it won’t,” he said.
‘IF THE WEST WANTS TO DEFEAT US ON THE BATTLEFIELD, LET THEM TRY’
Stating that he has heard that Western countries are waiting for an opportunity to make a move on the battlefield against Russia, Putin said, “It is the collective West, not Russia, that started the war in Ukraine. Today we hear that they want to beat us on the battlefield. Let them try. We are hearing that the West wants to fight us to the last Ukrainian. This is a tragedy for Ukrainians. But everyone should know that we haven’t started anything yet.”
‘OUR OFFER TO BUILD EQUAL SECURITY SYSTEM IN EUROPE WAS REJECTED’
Defending that the Western countries led by the USA have taken an aggressive attitude towards them, Putin said, “The collective West led by the USA has been extremely aggressive towards Russia for years. Our proposal to create an equal security system in Europe was rejected. Our proposals to work together on missile defenses were rejected. Warnings against NATO enlargement were ignored.
Defending that Western countries do not need a country like Russia, and therefore they support their groups, Putin said, “They do not need a country like Russia. That’s why they supported terrorism in Russia, separatism in Russia, the destructive forces within us and the “Fifth Column” in our country.
(UAV)