Putin: "Western Security Threats Created Ukraine Military Intervention" (Update)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed in his Victory Day speech commemorating Russia's World War II victory that military intervention in Ukraine was inevitable due to security threats from the West, asserting that the West is responsible for the war. There was no announcement of a full-scale war or escalation against Ukraine, as some had speculated.

According to Russia's TASS news agency on the 9th (local time), President Putin stated in his Victory Day speech held at Red Square in Moscow, "The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was creating security threats at Russia's borders and attempted to invade our territory," adding, "The West did not want to listen to Russia and had other plans."

He continued, "The military operation in Ukraine was a timely and necessary response as a preemptive measure to prevent Western aggression," encouraging the Russian military and pro-Russian rebel forces in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine by saying, "You are fighting for your homeland and its future." President Putin linked the Ukraine war to World War II, emphasizing, "This day is the victory of the unified Soviet Union, and everyone will never forget the lessons of World War II."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.