He argued that his offensive in Ukraine aimed to "unite the Russian people".
Putin used the concept of "historical Russia" to claim that Ukrainians and Russians are one people, undermining Kyiv's sovereignty and justifying his 10-month offensive in Ukraine.
He said Russia’s goal is “to unite the Russian people" in a bid to protect “our national interests, the interests of our citizens, of our people".
Queried about the new air defence system the United States was to deliver to Ukraine, Putin replied: "Of course we will destroy it, 100 percent!" referring to the Patriot missile battery promised to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky last week earned firm pledges of support from US president Joe Biden during his first trip out of Ukraine since the conflict began, including the Pentagon's most advanced air defence system.
Western military and financial aid has been crucial for Ukraine's pushback of Russian troops, including from Kherson, the only regional capital that was held by Russia.
Meanwhile, about 100 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, Russian air defence troops shot down a Ukrainian drone early Monday as it approached a Russian airbase, with the debris killing three.
Monday was also to see a call from Ukraine for Russia to lose its veto-wielding permanent seat on the powerful UN Security Council, said Kyiv's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
(mo)
Source: AFP
