Russian President Putin used his State of the Union address to once again justify the war of aggression against Ukraine. He also warned the West against using ground troops. There were campaign promises for the citizens.
Two weeks before the presidential election in Russia, incumbent Vladimir Putin addressed Russian citizens in his traditional state of the nation speech. He once again focused on the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The “special military operation,” as the Russian leadership is calling the war, is supported by “the absolute majority of the population,” Putin said. He did not provide any evidence for this claim.
In his live broadcast address to the Federal Assembly – the State Duma and the Federation Council – he thanked citizens and companies for their support in the “special military operation”. The people work in three shifts to meet the needs of the front. At the same time, he called on citizens to support the army. Private individuals should donate money and winter clothing for the soldiers, whom Putin described as “heroes.”
The president did not respond to criticism of the war of aggression. Although open protests are not possible in Russia, there are always Russian voices, especially on the Internet, who clearly oppose the war – despite high penalties.
Kremlin chief: NATO is a threat
Putin once again renewed the accusation that the West was responsible for the war. Russia “defends its sovereignty and security and protects our compatriots” in Ukraine, Putin claimed. He once again ignored the fact that Ukraine is a sovereign state. The fallen Russian soldiers were honored with a minute’s silence.
The Kremlin chief has repeated that he sent soldiers to Ukraine in February 2022 to protect Russian interests and to prevent Ukraine from becoming a major security threat to Russia by joining NATO. The Ukrainian government and its Western allies deny this, saying the attack was an unprovoked act of aggression.
Western leaders did not understand how dangerous their interference in Russia’s internal affairs could be, Putin stressed. The West is displaying colonial behavior and trying to stir up conflicts – including within Russia, said the 71-year-old.
The president may also be referring to the remaining Kremlin critics in the country. In mid-February, Russia’s best-known opposition leader Alexei Navalny died in a Russian prison camp where he was serving a 19-year prison sentence on extremism charges. Other opposition politicians and human rights activists also have to answer again and again before Russian courts. On Tuesday, Oleg Orlov was sentenced to several years in prison – he is accused of discrediting the army.
Threats directed at NATO
In his speech, Putin also addressed the proposal of French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently brought up the deployment of NATO ground troops in Ukraine. It’s a proposal that has already been explicitly rejected by the United States, Germany, Britain and others.
The Kremlin chief emphasized that there would be a risk of nuclear war if troops were sent to fight in Ukraine. Moscow has the weapons to attack targets in the West. “Western nations must realize that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory,” Putin said. “All of this really threatens to become a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons and the destruction of civilization. Don’t you understand that?”
Visibly annoyed, Putin – who has led Russia for more than two decades – called on Western politicians to remember the fate of those who unsuccessfully invaded his country in the past, such as Adolf Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte. “But now the consequences will be far more tragic,” the president said. “You think it (Editor’s note: this refers to war) is a cartoon,” he said.
Putin’s re-election is considered certain
The presidential elections will take place from March 15th to 17th, in which the 71-year-old will run as an independent candidate. He relies on the tight control over Russia’s political system that he has built over 24 years in power. Prominent critics who could challenge him are either in prison or living abroad, while most independent media outlets have been banned. He faces symbolic opposition from three other candidates nominated by pro-Kremlin parties represented in parliament. This means that Putin’s re-election is almost certain.
Nevertheless, Putin admitted in his speech that there are domestic challenges. He acknowledged that 13.5 million people in the country still lived below the poverty line. Large families in particular are affected. The financial situation of around 30 percent of them is precarious. He demanded that this proportion should be reduced to twelve percent by 2030.
Campaign promises to Russia’s citizens
As measures to support families, Putin presented social mortgage programs, higher tax allowances for children and regional social programs that would be supported by the federal budget. The minimum wage should rise from 19,000 rubles (190 euros) per month to 35,000 rubles (350 euros) by 2030.
According to him, by improving the healthcare system and investing in sports infrastructure, life expectancy in Russia should increase from the current 73 to 78 years by 2030. For comparison: In Germany, according to official information, life expectancy for men is already more than 78 years and for women it is more than 83 years. He left it open how the Kremlin leader would like to finance the programs, given the costly war.
It is Putin’s 19th State of the Nation Address. The President last gave the speech in February 2023 and declared the suspension of the New Start nuclear disarmament treaty. In the first year of the war he skipped the State of the Union address.
Björn Blaschke, ARD Moldau, tagesschau, February 29, 2024 1:25 p.m