Vladimir Putin says NATO expansion threatens Russian territories. Threatens the West again with nuclear weapons – Dagsavisen

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– An overwhelming majority of Russians support the military special operation, said Russian President Vladimir Putin at the beginning of his annual state of the nation address.

He took several opportunities to pay tribute to all those fighting for Russia. This garnered several rounds of full applause from the hall, where Russian elected officials and military leaders followed along.

Further in the speech, Putin said that the West is trying to weaken Russia from the inside. At the same time, he said that Russia is ready for talks with the United States, but emphasized that they will not allow themselves to be forced into such talks. He mentioned that they were open to cooperation with the US on “strategic stability”.

Threatened again with nuclear weapons

He also said that the western part of Russia must be “adequately protected” as NATO expands eastward with Swedish and Finnish NATO membership, and announced rearmament.

Nato forces are “ready to attack our areas”, he claimed, before warning of what such an attack would entail.

– They must understand that we also have weapons, weapons that are capable of fighting them in their own territories, said Putin, who also emphasized that something like this could trigger the use of nuclear weapons.

– Don’t they understand that?, he asked.

He also said that Western countries are looking to weaken Russia from the inside, that Western countries consider themselves superior and that Russophobia blinds them.

– Without Russia, there will be no fundamental peace in the world, Putin said.

Promised economic progress

At the same time, he addressed the state of the economy in the country, and said that he intends to make the Russian economy one of the four largest.

– The renewal of our industry is important to protect our sovereignty, Putin said in his annual State of the Union address, according to Sky News.

He made many promises about how the Russian economy will grow in the future, and pointed out that the Russian economy has grown by 19 percent. Minimum wages in the country will increase, and he also promised tax cuts for small and medium-sized businesses.

Putin also encouraged businessmen to invest more in Russia, as well as talking about increased investment in Russian AI technology.

He also expressed a desire for more cooperation in Eurasia, which is a designation for the geographical areas between Europe and Asia. In addition, Russia wants increased cooperation with countries in the Middle East and South America.

Asked Russians to give birth to more children

Putin devoted part of the speech to talking about Russians’ family life and birth rates. He emphasized the importance of increasing birth rates, and said that it is important to uphold traditional family values.

– We choose life. Russia remains the pillar of traditional values, Putin said, according to the report BBC.

Birth rates have decreased in Russia over time. Putin acknowledged this in his speech, but also pointed out that this was part of a global trend. It is important to give birth to more children in order to “expand our multi-ethnic nation”, it said.

The election in Russia is in about two weeks. Putin is expected to be re-elected for another six years. In the next period, Russia must ensure stable growth in the number of births in order to “improve the quality of life” in Russian families, he said. In the speech, he promised higher child benefits and other financial support for larger families.

– Be patient, I’m just getting started, Putin said.

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The speech is shown in Russian cinemas

This is Putin’s 19th State of the Union address. This time it was shown in cinemas around Russia, which will be the first time, according to the BBC.

The speech was originally supposed to begin at 10 Norwegian time, but Putin came walking out to full applause and fanfare at 10.14.

Several Western journalists were invited to cover the speech. They were not allowed to sit in the hall itself, but in a press center in the same building, according to the BBC’s reporter who was present.

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