Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out today Thursday at the United States and its European allies, saying Western sanctions for Russia’s annexation of Crimea were just an excuse to weaken the country.
Delivering his annual state of the nation speech to legislators, Kremlin officials and other leaders on Thursday, Putin said the sanctions are not just a reaction of the U.S. and its allies over Russia’s response to the events and a coup in Ukraine.
“I am certain that if all this did not take place … they would come up with another reason to contain Russia’s growing capabilities, to influence it or, even better, use it for its own goals,” the Russian leader said.
Putin said the Euromaidan revolution in Ukraine, that ousted Russia-backed President Viktor Yanukovich in February, was an armed coup supported by the West that justified Russian intervention.
“What we are seeing now in Ukraine, the tragedy in the southeast, fully confirms that our position is right,” Putin said.
Fighting this year between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian rebels has killed more than 4,300 people.
He also referred to Crimea as Russia’s spiritual ground, calling the region “the same as Temple Mount in Jerusalem for those who confess Islam and Judaism.”
Putin spoke after a rare and deadly rebel attack in the Chechen capital, Grozny. He said such acts of separatism are being supported by the West.
He said although Moscow has been treating its former Cold War enemies as close friends and almost allies, the support for separatism in Russia is coming from abroad, including political and financial help from spy agencies.
The President also warned Russians of hard times ahead and urged self-reliance, in his annual state-of-the nation address to parliament.
Russia has been hit hard by falling oil prices and by Western sanctions imposed in response to its interventions in the crisis in neighbouring Ukraine.
The rouble, once a symbol of stability under Mr Putin, suffered its biggest one-day decline since 1998 on Monday.
The government has warned that Russia will fall into recession next year.
