But, according to him, Russia was met with “cynical lies” and “blackmail” by the West.
“Where is justice and truth?” Putin asked. “There are only pure lies and hypocrisy.”
The West, under US leadership, represents an “empire of lies,” he said.
In a statement, US President Joe Biden sought to hold Putin directly accountable.
“President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” Biden said. “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will cause, and the United States and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive manner. The world will hold Russia to account.”
In his speech, Putin addressed the Russian people, arguing that they were on the right side of history.
“You and I know that our strength lies in justice and truth, which is on our side,” Putin said. “And if this is so, then it’s hard not to agree that strength and readiness to fight are the foundation of independence and sovereignty.”
As he spoke, the UN Security Council met in New York in a last-ditch attempt to avert war. Several ambassadors among NATO allies, including US Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield, called on Russia to back off and return to the negotiating table.
“Come back from the abyss before it’s too late,” Thomas-Greenfield said.
Michael D. Shear contributed to this report.
–
