Russian President Vladimir Putin has blamed the West for the Ukraine war during his speech on Tuesday, just days before the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion, as it was expected, reports BBC.
He called Western intervention over the years a "campaign of terror", adding that "I want to repeat it is them who are guilty and culpable for the war and we are using our force to stop it".
This last line was met with a round of applause from the audience.
Putin finishes speech
Putin finishes the speech by circling back to Ukraine. He thanks "thousands of volunteers who turned up at military registration offices to fight alongside the defenders of the Donbas."
He also promises to "respond to any challenges".
"We all are the same country, one united people. We are confident and assured of our force."
"The truth is on our side," he says.
The anthem starts and the audience rises.
Russia to suspend participation in arms control treaty
Putin announces that Russia is suspending participation in New Start - a strategic arms reduction treaty between the US and Russia.
"I am forced to announce today that Russia is suspending its participation in the strategic offensive arms treaty," he says.
He also says that Russia needs to be ready to test nuclear weapons if the US does so first.
New Start is the last remaining nuclear arms deal between Russia and the US and it was extended for five years in 2021.
Originally signed in 2010, the treaty limits each side to 1,550 long-range nuclear warheads, a lower number than under the previous Start deal.
President circles back to attacks on the West
Putin is returning to attacks on the West saying relations with the US have degraded completely.
He claims the US wants to control the world itself saying the US broke down a structure created after World War Two.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
