In one of the most scathing attacks on the Western world, Russian President Vladimir Putin turned back the pages of history as he said that the West had plundered countries like India in contradiction to the values of true freedom and justice.
“The West … began its colonial policy back in the Middle Ages, and then followed the slave trade, the genocide of Indian tribes in America, the plunder of India and Africa, and the wars of England and France against China,” President Putin said at a ceremony where the Kremlin was to annex four Ukrainian regions partly occupied by his forces,” he said during a ceremony at the Kremlin to annex four Ukrainian regions partly occupied by his forces.
“What they did was hook entire nations on drugs, deliberately exterminate entire ethnic groups. For the sake of land and resources, they hunted people like animals. This is contrary to the very nature of man, truth, freedom and justice,” Putin said.
Meanwhile, according to the prominent news television network, Russian Television (RT), Putin said that Moscow is ready for talks with Kiev.
Putin’s comments came at a ceremony for the signing of treaties on the inclusion of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics (LPR and DPR), as well as the regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye, which declared independence from Ukraine, into Russia.
“We call on the Kiev regime to cease all hostilities, stop the war it started back in 2014 and return to the negotiating table,” Putin said, adding, however, that Moscow will not “betray” the territories that want to become a part of Russia. “People have made their choice. A clear one,” Putin said.
Putin has called on Kiev to treat the “free choice” made by the people of the four territories “with respect.” “That is the only way for peace,” he added.
The Russian President also warned that Russia would defend its territory using all means available and would do “everything to ensure the security of its people.”
He also vowed to help the four territories joining Russia to rebuild, adding that their people would feel the support of all Russian regions.
Friday’s ceremony marks the start of the formal process of the four territories’ accession to Russia. After Putin signs the accession treaties, they will be examined by the Constitutional Court and, if cleared, will be sent for ratification to the two chambers of the Russian parliament – the State Duma and Federation Council. Russian lawmakers are expected to convene to discuss the issue next week.
In February 2022, Russia recognised the Donbas republics as independent states, accusing Kiev of failing to implement the Minsk agreements, designed to give the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk special status within the Ukrainian state. The protocols, brokered by Germany and France, were first signed in 2014.
On Thursday, Putin also recognised the independence of the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, both of which were seized by Russian forces soon after the start of the conflict between Moscow and Kiev in February 2022. Since that time, the authorities in these regions had repeatedly mulled the idea of joining Russia before eventually holding the referendums in September.