On the anniversary of the armed invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin shifted the blame onto the West, claiming that they were responsible for starting the conflict while portraying Moscow as only using force to contain it. Speaking to a large audience that included members of parliament, military commanders, and soldiers in Moscow, Putin also criticized the Western-imposed sanctions, describing them as a tactic aimed at inflicting suffering on Russian citizens. He claimed that the true objective of the sanctions was to hurt Russia, rather than to address the underlying issues that led to the conflict in Ukraine.
It is worth noting that Putin’s statements conflict with the conclusions of international investigations and the positions of many Western governments, which have accused Russia of being the aggressor in the conflict and violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Additionally, the impact of the conflict and the sanctions have created significant hardship for civilians on both sides, further highlighting the need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis. The Ukraine-Russia war has had a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people, with many experiencing trauma, loss, and extreme hardship. The humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict is ongoing and continues to affect the region’s most vulnerable populations.
The address restated numerous complaints that the leader of Russia has often used to defend the heavily criticized war while disregarding global calls to withdraw from the areas in Ukraine that are under occupation. Experts are anticipated to examine the speech for indications of Putin’s perspective on the conflict, which has become entangled, as well as the attitude he may adopt for the upcoming year.
The conflict has severely impacted access to many things like healthcare in the affected areas. Medical facilities have been damaged or destroyed, and medical personnel has been killed or forced to flee. This has left many people without access to vital medical care, including treatment for chronic illnesses and injuries sustained during the conflict. It appears that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine is unlikely to be resolved in the near future.
