October 2, 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions, insisting that the residents of those regions had made their choice to be part of Russia.

In a speech to the Russian parliament, Putin said that the annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions was a “historic event” and that the people of those regions were now “part of our big and united Russian family.”

Putin also said that Russia would continue to fight in Ukraine until it had achieved its goals, which he said included “demilitarizing and denazifying” Ukraine.

The annexation of the four Ukrainian regions was widely condemned by the international community, and the United States and its allies have imposed severe sanctions on Russia in response.

The United States has also said that it will not recognize the annexation of the four Ukrainian regions.

Analysis

Putin’s speech on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions was a defiant one. He showed no signs of backing down from his war in Ukraine, and he insisted that Russia would achieve its goals, no matter how long it takes.

Putin’s speech also showed that he is increasingly isolated from the international community. The annexation of the four Ukrainian regions was widely condemned, and the United States and its allies have imposed severe sanctions on Russia.

The war in Ukraine has also had a devastating impact on the Ukrainian economy and people. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced from their homes, and thousands have been killed.

The war in Ukraine is a major humanitarian crisis, and it is important that the international community continues to support Ukraine and to pressure Russia to end the war.