Russia will not allow anyone to interfere in its internal affairs, Putin says in annual speech to parliament
- Russia's Vladimir Putin delivers his annual speech to parliament.
- “Russia will not allow anyone to interfere in its internal affairs.”
- He says most Russians support “special military operations.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries of a possible nuclear conflict if they sent troops to Ukraine and urged Russia to strengthen its western military district following the accession of Finland and Sweden.
“Russia will not allow anyone to interfere in its internal affairs,” Putin said during his annual speech to the Russian parliament.
Putin criticized French President Macron's statement that the deployment of Western ground troops to Ukraine should not be “ruled out,” saying such actions would have “tragic” consequences for the countries involved.
Putin stated that the absolute majority of Russians support “special military operations.”
“The combat capability of the armed forces has multiplied. Our units firmly possess the initiative. They confidently advance in various operational directions, liberating new territories,” he said.
Putin, who has been in power for more than two decades, announced his intention to seek another six-year term in March next year, following his annual speech to Russia's parliament two weeks before planned elections.
