Putin says Ukraine is a matter of life and death for Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a speech on Sunday that events on the battlefield in Ukraine were a matter of “life or death” for Russia and could determine its fate.

The Kremlin has repeatedly described the nearly two-year conflict as Russia’s battle for survival in an effort to appeal to patriotic sentiments among Russians, many of whom have been indifferent to the offensive.

“I think it is still important for ourselves to understand our way of thinking, and even more so for our listeners and viewers abroad,” Putin said in an interview on state television.

“What’s happening on the Ukrainian front: for them it’s an improvement in their tactical position, but for us it’s our fate, it’s a matter of life and death,” he said.

Putin was responding to questions about his two-hour interview with US talk show host Tucker Carlson, which the Kremlin used to promote its narrative of the conflict.

In that interview, Putin spoke at length about Russian history and repeatedly questioned Ukraine’s statehood, sparking anger in Kyiv and the West.

“It’s not easy for Western listeners, viewers. And even more so for Americans,” Putin said in the Carlson interview when asked about his long-term thinking about history.

“The history of the United States is over 300 years old, and I started in 862. So I don’t think it’s easy for an American audience to understand,” he said.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – AFP)