MOSCOW, Sketsa.id – Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a combative address to his top military commanders on Wednesday, dismissing prospects for peace talks on Western terms and vowing to continue Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In a speech marked by hostile rhetoric, Putin insulted European leaders supporting Kyiv, referring to them using a derogatory term. “European pigs want to feast on the collapse of Russia,” he said, employing a crude insult previously used by former President Dmitry Medvedev.

Putin stated that Moscow would prefer to achieve its objectives through diplomacy but issued a clear threat if the West and Ukraine refuse its demands. “But if the opposing side and its foreign backers refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands through military means,” he declared.

The Russian leader listed what the Kremlin sees as the root causes of the conflict, including Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union and NATO, and repeated the baseless claim of needing to “denazify” the country. These justifications have been consistently used since the invasion began in February 2022.

Condemnation of the West and Claims of Nuclear Superiority

Putin placed full blame for the war on the West, specifically citing the previous U.S. administration under President Joe Biden. He accused Western nations of attempting to profit from a potential Russian collapse, claiming European civilization has devolved into “total degradation.”

Alongside the threats, Putin boasted of Russia’s military modernization, claiming an unrivaled nuclear arsenal. “Ninety-two percent of our nuclear forces have been modernized. No other country, no other nuclear power in the world has this,” he said.

He highlighted the new nuclear-capable Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile, which he said would officially enter combat duty this month. Russia first tested a conventional version of the Oreshnik against a target in Dnipro, Ukraine, in November 2024.

Assertion of Sovereignty and Dim Hope for Dialogue

Putin framed the ongoing war as an action that has restored Russia’s complete sovereignty. “Thanks to the full-scale invasion, Russia has regained its full sovereignty and become a sovereign state in every sense of the word,” he claimed, despite Russia having been a sovereign state since 1990.

While expressing a faint hope that Europe might eventually return to dialogue with Moscow, he dismissed the current political elite. “It is impossible with the current political elites. But it will be inevitable as we continue to strengthen our positions,” he stated, suggesting Russia would wait for a change in European leadership.

The speech, reported by international outlets including Euronews, underscores the deepening rift between Russia and the West and signals no deviation from the Kremlin’s commitment to its military campaign in Ukraine. (*)