Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia should have initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine earlier and been better prepared for the war. Speaking at his end-of-year press conference on Thursday, Putin expressed that, in hindsight, there ought to have been systemic preparation for the 2022 invasion, which he continues to describe as a special military operation.
Russia’s conflict with Ukraine began in 2014 when it seized Crimea and pro-Russian forces initiated fighting in eastern Ukraine. However, it was not until eight years later that Putin launched an attempt to capture Kyiv.
The press conference, billed as Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin, was broadcast live on major state television channels. During the four-hour-long event, Putin addressed a range of topics, including the deposed leader of Syria, Russia’s increasingly assertive nuclear doctrine, and domestic matters like the price of butter.
Putin appeared in front of a large blue screen displaying a map of the Russian Federation, including territories annexed from Ukraine. The event, highly choreographed and tightly controlled, allowed Putin to field questions from the public, foreign journalists, and pensioners. However, critics noted the stage-managed nature of the proceedings.
When questioned by the BBC’s Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, about whether Russia was in a better position now compared to where his predecessor Boris Yeltsin left it 25 years ago, Putin claimed that Russia had regained its sovereignty.
This statement, like many others during the event, reflects Putin’s ongoing efforts to frame his leadership as a period of strength and resurgence for Russia, despite the significant geopolitical and domestic challenges the country faces. The inclusion of annexed Ukrainian territories on the map underscored Russia’s controversial claims, which remain unrecognized by much of the international community.
Putin’s remarks and the event as a whole highlight his determination to present a narrative of control and strategic foresight, even as the war in Ukraine and its global repercussions continue to dominate his presidency.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0