In his long-delayed state-of-the-nation address on Tuesday, Mr Putin cast his country — and Ukraine — as victims of western double-dealing and said it is Russia, not Ukraine, fighting for its very existence. On top of that, Mr Putin sharply upped the ante by saying Moscow will suspend its participation in the so-called New Start Treaty. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 2022 and made a dash toward Kyiv, apparently expecting to quickly overrun the capital. While the Constitution says the president should deliver the speech annually, Mr Putin never gave one in 2022 as his troops rolled into Ukraine and suffered repeated setbacks. On the ground on Tuesday, the Ukrainian military said Russian forces shelled southern cities of Kherson and Ochakiv while Mr Putin spoke, killing six people.

Source: Daily Nation February 21, 2023 09:57 UTC