News - Middle East: In a state-of-the-nation address in Moscow on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Western countries of fanning the flames of a year-long war in Ukraine that has killed tens of thousands of people.

The combative address to the Federal Assembly, or Russia's bicameral parliament, lasted nearly two hours, during which Putin defended Moscow's military operation in Ukraine.
Putin lashed out at the United States and its NATO allies, saying they sought "limitless power" while reiterating Russia's responsibility to "liquidate the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev."

“I am making this address at a time which we all know is a difficult, watershed moment for our country, a time of cardinal, irreversible changes around the world, the most important historic events that will shape the future of our country and our people, when each of us bears a colossal responsibility," he remarked.

The Russian president said Moscow was not fighting the people of Ukraine, stressing that Ukraine “has become a hostage of the Kiev regime and its Western masters, which have effectively occupied the country.”

In an important announcement, Putin said Russia was suspending participation in a major arms control agreement with the US.

"I am forced to announce today that Russia is suspending its participation in the strategic offensive arms treaty," he said.

Putin hastened to add that Russia needs to be ready to test nuclear weapons if the US does so first, suggesting Russia won't be the first one to push the button.

New Start Treaty is the last remaining nuclear arms deal between arch-foes Moscow and Washington, which was extended for five years in 2021.

Originally signed in 2010, the treaty sought to limit each side to 1,550 long-range nuclear warheads.

Putin said it was "impossible" to defeat Russia on the battlefield, adding that the Kremlin is using force to stop the war while the West is seeking to change a "local conflict into a global one".

He termed Western intervention over the years a "campaign of terror," holding the US and its allies "culpable for the war."

Putin further said Western nations were trying to "distract people’s attention" from their domestic problems.

“They just tried to use these principles of democracy and freedom to defend their totalitarian values and they tried to distract people’s attention from corruption scandals … from economic-social problems," he noted.

He said the responsibility of the simmering crisis in Ukraine was "on the West and Ukrainian elite."

“The responsibility is on the West and the Ukrainian elite and government, which does not serve the national interest, but [rather serves the interest] of third countries [which] use Ukraine as a military base to fight Russia."

The Russian president was particularly scathing in his criticism of Washington, saying the country wants to control the whole world, adding that relations with the US have degraded completely.

Putin also remarked that the Russian economy had only shrunk by 2.2 percent in 2022, taking a sarcastic swipe at the West, which had "predicted a collapse of the Russian economy.”

He lauded the resistance of the Russian economy in the face of massive sanctions by the West, which he said presented both opportunities and challenges.

"It is a time not only of challenges, but of opportunities," he stressed, welcoming what he called the growing "independence" of the Russian economy from foreign markets.

Putin's speech was interrupted by thunderous applause from the audience, which included members of the Federal Assembly as well as business and military leaders.

Putin also talked about his plans and ambitions for the future, particularly focusing on improving economic connections.

He spoke at length about his government's plan for extending highways from Moscow to Kazan and with Mongolia and China, to increase Russia's connections with East Asia.

He also spoke about developing an international north, south corridor improving links with India, Iran and wider West Asia.

The Russian president concluded his fiery speech by thanking "thousands of volunteers who turned up at military registration offices to fight alongside the defenders of the Donbas."

He also promised to "respond to any challenges" arising from the military operation.

"We all are the same country, one united people. We are confident and assured of our force," he asserted. "The truth is on our side."

The long-delayed speech came ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's military operation in Ukraine and after US President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Ukraine.