Sunday 24 September 2023

*Citizens of Russia,**

**Citizens of Russia,**

I am addressing you today at a time of great challenge for our country. For the past six months, we have been conducting a special military operation in Ukraine. This was a necessary and difficult decision, but it was the right one.

Ukraine had become a springboard for NATO aggression against Russia. The West had been arming and training Ukrainian forces for years, and they were preparing to launch an attack on our country. We could not allow this to happen.

Our special military operation is aimed at demilitarizing and denazifying Ukraine. We are also seeking to protect the people of Donbas, who have been suffering under Ukrainian shelling for eight years.

We have made significant progress in achieving our goals. We have liberated a large part of Donbas and we are continuing to advance. Our forces are fighting bravely and professionally. They are showing the world that Russia is a great military power.

However, the West is continuing to provoke the conflict. They are providing Ukraine with more and more weapons, and they are even sending their own troops to fight alongside the Ukrainians.

The West is also trying to isolate Russia economically. They have imposed severe sanctions on our country. But these sanctions will not break us. We are a strong and resilient people. We will overcome these challenges.

I want to assure the citizens of Russia that we will not allow the West to defeat us. We will protect our country and our people. We will achieve our goals in Ukraine.

I also want to warn the West of the dangers of a nuclear war. Russia is a nuclear power, and we will not hesitate to use our nuclear weapons if our country is threatened.

The West must understand that there can be no victors in a nuclear war. Everyone will lose.

I call on the West to stop provoking the conflict in Ukraine and to come to the negotiating table. We are ready to talk about peace, but we will not give up our interests or our security.

I also call on the international community to support a new global security architecture. The current system is outdated and it is no longer able to guarantee peace and security for all.

We need a new system that is based on respect for mutual interests and on the principle of indivisible security.

I am confident that together, we can build a better world for all.

Thank you.

(Please note that this is a summary of President Putin's speech, not the full text.)

**Address by President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation on September 21, 2023**

Citizens of Russia,

Today, I am addressing you on a matter of the utmost importance to our country and our people. As you know, Russia is engaged in a special military operation in Ukraine. This operation was launched in response to the direct threat posed by NATO to our security.

For many years, the West has been expanding NATO eastward, ever closer to our borders. This expansion has been accompanied by a relentless campaign of disinformation and propaganda, aimed at demonizing Russia and sowing discord within our society.

Despite our repeated warnings, the West has refused to heed our concerns. Instead, it has continued to arm and train Ukrainian forces, and to encourage them to attack the Russian-speaking population in the Donbass region.

This could no longer be tolerated. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched its special military operation to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine.

Our forces have made significant progress in achieving these objectives. They have liberated large swathes of territory in the Donbass region and have inflicted heavy casualties on the Ukrainian military.

However, the West continues to support Ukraine, and the conflict is now dragging on for longer than we expected. This is because the West is not interested in a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Instead, it is seeking to weaken Russia and to prolong the war as long as possible.

I want to assure you that Russia will not allow this to happen. We will achieve our objectives in Ukraine, no matter what it takes.

I also want to warn the West that any attempt to interfere in our special military operation will have the most serious consequences. Russia is a nuclear power, and we will not hesitate to use our nuclear weapons to defend our country and our people.

Citizens of Russia,

I know that this is a difficult time for many of you. But I want you to know that we are on the right side of history. We are fighting for our security, for our future, and for the future of our children.

I urge you to remain united and to support our forces in Ukraine. Together, we will overcome all challenges and build a brighter future for our country.

**On the need for a new global security architecture**

The current global security architecture is outdated and no longer meets the needs of the 21st century. It is based on the hegemony of the United States and its allies, and it does not take into account the interests of other countries, including Russia.

This imbalance of power has led to a number of conflicts and crises around the world. It is also a major obstacle to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.

I believe that it is time to create a new global security architecture, one that is based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and indivisible security. This new architecture should be based on the following principles:

* The sovereign equality of all states;
* The principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states;
* The principle of indivisible security, which means that the security of one state cannot be ensured at the expense of the security of other states.

I urge all countries to join me in building a new global security architecture that is based on these principles. This is the only way to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for all.

Thank you.

**Address by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on September 21, 2023**

My fellow citizens,

I am addressing you today at a time of great trial for our country. For seven months now, we have been conducting a special military operation in Ukraine. This was a difficult decision, but it was necessary to protect our people and our national interests.

The West has been trying to rewrite history and convince us that Ukraine is not a part of Russia. But this is simply not true. Ukraine is our historical homeland, our ancestors fought and died for it, and we will never give it up.

The West has also been trying to undermine our economy and isolate us from the world. But we will not be intimidated. We have a strong economy and a resilient people. We will overcome any challenge that comes our way.

I want to assure you that our special military operation in Ukraine is going according to plan. We have liberated large areas of territory and are now focused on protecting our gains and defeating the enemy.

I also want to address the West. You have been provoking this conflict for many years. You have expanded NATO eastward and armed the Ukrainian regime. You have tried to turn Ukraine into a bulwark against Russia.

But we will not allow this to happen. We will defend our country and our people at all costs.

I want to warn the West that if you continue to escalate this conflict, you will be playing with fire. Russia has nuclear weapons, and we are prepared to use them if necessary.

I call on the West to return to the negotiating table and to work with us to build a new global security architecture. This architecture must be based on the principles of equality and mutual respect. It must also take into account the security interests of all countries, including Russia.

My fellow citizens, I am confident that we will overcome this challenge and emerge stronger than before. We have a great country with a talented and patriotic people. Together, we can build a better future for Russia and for the world.

Thank you.

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