Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to defend his act of aggression against Ukraine by saying he had to do it because of Western countries.
Speaking on ‘Victory Day’ (one of the most important events on the country’s national calendar) on Monday, Putin said that the West had posed a threat on their borders and was preparing to invade the country.
He also said that the West does not want to listen to Russia’s proposal to hold a dialogue, which means they have other plans and the Kremlin can see them.
"Russia gave an early rejection of aggression, it was a forced and sovereign decision," he said.
Speaking ahead of a massive march of troops and tanks in Moscow, Putin also doubled Russia’s strategy to focus on the eastern Donbass region.
Russia had launched an attack on Ukraine on February 24, after gathering about 190,000 troops at the border in previous weeks.
Fighting has intensified in the region in recent weeks as Putin refocused his war strategy following fierce opposition from the Ukrainian military.
