Russian president Vladimir Putin delivered a weird, albeit terrifying, speech on Friday to mark the annexation of 4 elements of Ukraine.
This was the second largest land seize because the Second World Struggle (the primary being Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea) because it was claiming 15% of Ukraine’s territory – Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
However he didn’t simply speak about this – although it’s a significant breach of worldwide regulation in its personal proper – and shortly strayed into matters from Satanism to rewriting historical past itself.
Listed here are the highest seven weird moments.
1. Annexed Ukrainian areas now ‘ceaselessly’ a part of Russia
Putin stated: “I would like the Kyiv authorities and their actual masters within the West to listen to me, in order that they bear in mind this. Individuals dwelling in Luhansk and Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia have gotten our residents. Without end.”
The worldwide neighborhood condemned the sham referendums even earlier than anybody might supposedly attain the poll field. It’s thought Ukrainians had been coerced into voting, in the event that they even received to vote in any respect.
Now, although, Putin stated these territories won’t ever be returned to Ukraine as a result of Russia “won’t betray them”.
He later stated the dissolution of the USSR (which Russia and Ukraine was a part of) in 1991 lower folks off “from their motherland”.
2. Ukraine should finish the conflict it started in 2014
He stated: “We name on the Kyiv regime to instantly finish hostilities, finish the conflict that they unleashed again in 2014 and return to the negotiating desk.”
It is a reference to the yr when Russia annexed Crimea, a part of Ukraine, not the opposite manner round.
3. West ‘sabotage’
He additionally blamed the West for “sabotaging” the pipelines sending vitality from Russia to Europe earlier this week, although it’s Moscow who has been utilizing its pure fuel and oil exports as leverage in opposition to the West.
“Sanctions weren’t sufficient for the Anglo-Saxons: they moved onto sabotage,” Putin stated.
3. A veiled nuclear risk
Putin identified the US is the one nation to use nuclear weapons ever, after attacking two Japanese cities in 1945. He claimed this had then “set a precedent”.
He then alleged: “Even in the present day, [the US] really occupy Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and different international locations, and on the identical time cynically name them allies of equal standing.”
4. Not mentioning Ukraine (in any respect) for quarter-hour…
5. Satanism
He described Western values as “outright Satanism”, a “suppression of freedom”, and with a “denial of humanity”. He stated this all goes in opposition to “conventional” and “non secular” values and must be fought off.
He defined: “The destruction of this Western hegemony is irreversible, the world won’t ever be the identical.
“And we’re known as by this historical past, by our religion to battle for historic Russia.
“For excellent, historic Russia, for future generations, for our youngsters and grandchildren we have to shield them from these experiments which aimed to interrupt their soul and their consciousness.”
6. A dig on the LGBTQ+ neighborhood
Putin then known as for the heterosexual nuclear household and gender binary to return.
“Do we actually need, right here, in our nation, in Russia, as an alternative of ‘mum’ and ‘dad’, to have ‘dad or mum No. 1’, ‘dad or mum No. 2’, ‘No. 3’?
“Have they gone fully insane? Do we actually need … it drilled into kids in our colleges … that there are supposedly genders apart from men and women, and [children to be] supplied the prospect to endure intercourse change operations? … We’ve a unique future, our personal future.”
7. A chant of ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ – and a handshake
After formally signing the treaties honouring the annexation of the 4 areas into Russia, the nationwide anthem performed. Then Putin, and the 4 supposed leaders of the annexed areas, chanted along with the viewers: “Russia, Russia, Russia!”
Additionally they had a five-way handshake, in a shocking transfer for Putin, as he’s recognized for staying a great distance away from anybody in the identical room as him.
