Vladimir Putin says Ukraine is a ‘matter of life and death’ for Russia

The Russian president believes the West wants to “improve (its) strategic position” in Ukraine while Russia plays out its “destiny” there.

Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted in an interview broadcast on Sunday that “what is happening” in Ukraine is a “matter of life and death” for Russia, while for the West it is only a question of improving “(its) strategic position”, in an interview broadcast on Sunday. . 18 February.

Vladimir Putin said it was “important” for Russians and foreigners “to understand our state of mind, to understand how sensitive and important what is happening around Ukraine is for our country”.

“(For the West), it is an improvement in their strategic position. But for us, it is our destiny, it is a question of life and death,” he said, according to excerpts of an interview published on the social network. From the journalist who interviewed him, Pavel Zarubin.

Interview with American host Tucker Carlson

The Russian president talked about his recent interview with American host Tucker Carlson, who is very popular among conservatives.

Vladimir Putin’s first interview with Western media since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, was highly scrutinized. It has been viewed over 200 million times on X (formerly Twitter).

In a more than two-hour message to Americans and Europeans, Vladimir Putin specifically assured that Russia’s defeat in Ukraine was “impossible” while he was ready for “dialogue” with the West.