Putin: "We Will Not Succumb to Blackmail and Threats... No More Mistakes"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a partial mobilization order and continued to make tough remarks toward the West, announcing that the war would be further enforced.

According to TASS on the 21st (local time), President Putin stated at the event commemorating the 1160th anniversary of the founding of Russia held in Veliky Novgorod, "We will not succumb to intimidation and threats, nor will we ever betray or lose our sovereignty," adding, "For 1160 years, we have firmly learned that it is fatal for Russia to temporarily weaken its sovereignty by giving up national interests."

He continued, "During that period, the very existence of Russia was at risk. We will never make such a mistake again," emphasizing, "We will fight for our motherland, freedom, independence, sovereignty, as well as culture and traditions, and in the name of our ancestors and descendants, we will defend and protect Russia's great history and future."

Earlier, President Putin announced the partial mobilization order in a nationwide address broadcast on state TV, stating, "If the territory of Russia is threatened, Russia will immediately mobilize all available means to protect national interests and the safety of its people," and pressured Western countries by saying, "This is not a bluff." This statement is interpreted as implying the possible future use of nuclear weapons.

Accordingly, Russia has entered a full-scale wartime system. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that out of the total 25 million eligible for mobilization, 300,000 are subject to conscription under this partial mobilization order. This is the first time a mobilization order has been issued in Russia since World War II.

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