“Let them try!” Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday challenged the West to defeat Russia “on the battlefield” in Ukraine, as Americans and Europeans rushed to deliver weapons to Kyiv’s forces.
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“We hear today that they want to defeat us on the battlefield. What do I say?” Mr. Putin said during a meeting with group leaders in the lower house of parliament, which was televised.
We have heard many times that the West wants to fight us to the end of Ukraine. This is a tragedy for the Ukrainian people. But everything seems to be heading in that direction.
These military statements come as the United States and European countries in recent weeks have accelerated arms deliveries to the Kyiv army, which is trying to curb the advance of Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.
“Everyone should know that we have not yet started serious things” in Ukraine, Mr. Putin called during this speech, one of the toughest in weeks.
However, he did not announce the expansion of the military operation or any other concrete initiatives.
At the same time, we do not reject peace negotiations. But those who reject them should know that the longer (they refuse), the more difficult it will be for them to negotiate with us,” the Russian president added.
Using rhetoric reminiscent of Soviet leaders’ rhetoric during the Cold War, Mr. Putin also denounced Western “totalitarian liberalism” and argued that the attack in Ukraine marked the beginning of a transition from a world characterized by “American egocentrism” to a truly multipolar one. Globalism”.
“In most countries, people don’t want such a life or such a future,” he said. “They are tired of getting on their knees and humiliating themselves in front of those they think are exceptional.”
