Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the West for trying to “divide” Russia in excerpts from an interview aired on national television later on Sunday.
“The root of all this is the policy of our geopolitical opponents, which aims to break up Russia, historical Russia,” Putin said.
“They have always tried to ‘divide and conquer’… our goal is something else – to unite the Russian people,” he said.
Putin has used the concept of “historical Russia” to argue that Ukrainians and Russians are one people – undermining Kyiv’s sovereignty and justifying his 10-month invasion of Ukraine.
“We are working in the right direction, we are protecting our national interests, our citizens and the interests of our people,” Putin said.
The president reiterated his claim that Moscow is “ready to negotiate with all participants in the process (to find an acceptable solution)” of the conflict.
In his first trip outside Ukraine since the offensive began in February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy secured firm pledges of support from US President Joe Biden, including the Pentagon’s latest air defense systems.
“Of course we will destroy it, one hundred percent!” Putin said, referring to the Patriot missile battery that had been promised to Zelensky.