https://www.veteranstoday.com/2022/02/22/vladimir-putin-full-text-of-february-21-2022-speech/

Here’s the most important nugget from Putin’s speech, the part every American, Canadian and European should read and let sink in.

I want to emphasize: The U.S. and NATO are saying outright that their goal is to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. And, after this, they are going to tour our defense sites as if nothing is happening? (a reference to the nuclear arms limitation treaty that Putin suspended)

One thing that must be clear to everyone. The longer the range of the Western systems that arrive in Ukraine, the further we will be forced to push the threat away from our borders.

The Western elite make no secret of their goals, which is, I quote, ‘Russia’s strategic defeat.’ What does this mean to us? This means they plan to finish us once and for all. In other words, they plan to grow a local conflict into a global confrontation. This is how we understand it, and we will respond accordingly, because this represents an existential threat to our country.”

Whether or not you agree with Putin’s above declaration does not matter. This is how Putin’s government feels and it will act accordingly.