Putin: Many Have Tried to Destroy Russia, But They failed and Will Fail Again

That's the essence of Putin's speech to the Council of Legislators at St. Petersburg's Tauride Palace that was given on this Day of Russian Parliamentarism, the Council and its special day being relatively new. Before you read the speech's machine translation, I want to single out two parts. After reviewing the more distant attempts to destroy Russia, Putin talks about the current context that dates to the USSR's demise to link what's now happening with what came before:

We also remember how Western states in the early 1990s and 2000s encouraged terrorists and bandits in the North Caucasus, speculated on the problems of our past, on really problematic issues, on the injustices of the past against entire peoples, including the peoples of the Caucasus. But they did not do this in order to make us better, not at all, but they did it in order to transfer the problems of the past into our life today, in order to stimulate separatist sentiments in our country, ultimately to dismember and destroy it. That's what they did all this for, to drive us into what's called a bear corner. This is what many at all times have sought to do, to do with regard to Russia.

They did not achieve their goal, but they did not accept the fact that they could not do it, that we, despite this onslaught, managed to survive then. Therefore, later they embarked on a massive preparation of an economic war against Russia, step by step using all sorts of pretexts, and sometimes simply without any pretexts, they introduced new sanctions restrictions. By the way, today's plans for "economic strangulation" also failed.

Along with this, the enemies of our country forced the production of a new "geopolitical weapon" – it is not new in fact, but, of course, gave it new strength, a new impetus – relied on Russophobia and neo-Nazis, from year to year brazenly, unceremoniously turned our neighboring country, Ukraine, into "anti-Russia".

The above history wasn't talked about very much prior to 2020, but Putin has taken the lead in linking current events with the Yeltsin Era, which IMO is the absolutely correct. Putin then moves on to remark about the domestic situation, specifically the attention needed to deal with the illegal sanctions that are failing in their purpose. Putin's spoken most of these words before but in differing contexts. The context now is existential--the Second Great Patriotic War--which is tacitly understood:

I ask you personally, directly to work with the heads of municipalities and enterprises, with businesses, NGOs, labor collectives, to help them in solving emerging problems, and as a result, to take additional systemic support measures. And I would like to add that United Russia has a special responsibility here, of course, as the leading party. But I now appeal to all parliamentary parties: I ask you to work in solidarity.

In general, I ask all of you to be in direct communication with people. Whose voters they are, and whether anyone even went to the polls – it does not matter at all today, it does not matter. It is important for all people, for all of them, to give time and attention, to respond if you are asked for help and protection, and sometimes just for advice, people come – and you need to respond to this. [My Emphasis]

No partisan divisions as we all share one goal is Putin's message. And it must be noted that no NATO national leader is saying anything similar because their publics don't want their monies wasted on fighting a nation they hold no grudge against and is actually working in their interest by trying to continue its hydrocarbon flows that are the source of European livelihood--an interest being fought against by Elites and no one else, the blowback that's now emerging.

What follows is the entire machine translated transcript, errors and all, and without any additional emphasis.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon.

I welcome everyone to our traditional meeting. I congratulate you and your colleagues, senators and deputies at all levels, on the Day of Russian Parliamentarism, as well as employees of the legislative apparatus and, of course, veterans of parliamentary activity.

In May, the Council of Legislators will be 10 years old. We have all already seen that this format is useful and in demand. By coordinating the drafting of laws and following the principles of federalism, the Council contributes to the balanced development of the country and reflects the diversity and richness of our regions and territories.

Your work is based on a public, constructive dialogue. Such an open, concrete exchange of views certainly increases the Council's responsibility to the people and society for every promise, initiative, and every proposal. It should not be that you and I said something to the public sphere, and then all this "hung up", people wait – and nothing happens. In no case should this be allowed.

In this regard, I would like to stress that the amendments to the Constitution adopted in 2020 not only strengthened the position and influence of the parliament – and this is quite obvious, it is quite obvious, we have strengthened our parliamentarism – but also created conditions for the further formation of independent, sovereign legislation of Russia, for the development of national jurisdiction without the instructions and interference of any external forces. It is the people and only the people of Russia who are the source of power in our country.

Its representatives – parliamentary parties – despite all the competition with each other, invariably speak from the same positions when it comes to basic national interests, about resolving issues of defense and security of our Fatherland.

Such a patriotic attitude is understandable, close to people, always supported by the majority, the overwhelming majority of citizens. This is shown by the elections and all public opinion polls, and in principle there can be no other way, because love for the Motherland is one of the key foundations of Russian statehood and the most important value for our society, which invariably manifests itself at decisive moments for the country.

Such unity of people is worth a lot, guarantees that Russia will adequately respond to the most difficult challenges and threats, and will confidently go through all the tests. It has always been so, and it will be so now.

In this regard, I would like to stress once again that all the tasks of the special military operation launched on February 24 will certainly be fulfilled in order to guarantee peace and security for the residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, the Russian Crimea and our entire country in the historical future.

We must clearly realize that our soldiers and officers have prevented the real danger that is already hanging over our Motherland. With their courage and determination, heroism, they prevented a large-scale conflict that would have unfolded on our territory, but according to other people's scenarios.

The forces that have historically pursued and are pursuing a policy of containing Russia – historically conducted and are conducting, this was the case in ancient times, you know this well why they did it – such an independent, huge country is not needed even by their ideas. They believe that it is a danger to them simply by the fact of its existence. Although this is far from the case, they themselves pose a danger to the whole world.

We remember the barbaric plans of the Nazis against the Soviet people – to drive them away. Remember, huh? Those who are able to work are forced to work, subjecting them to slave labor and slave conditions, and those who are not needed are for the Urals, to the North for extinction. They had it all spelled out in their documents. These are historical documents. We remember that.

We also remember how Western states in the early 1990s and 2000s encouraged terrorists and bandits in the North Caucasus, speculated on the problems of our past, on really problematic issues, on the injustices of the past against entire peoples, including the peoples of the Caucasus. But they did not do this in order to make us better, not at all, but they did it in order to transfer the problems of the past into our life today, in order to stimulate separatist sentiments in our country, ultimately to dismember and destroy it. That's what they did all this for, to drive us into what's called a bear corner. This is what many at all times have sought to do, to do with regard to Russia.

They did not achieve their goal, but they did not accept the fact that they could not do it, that we, despite this onslaught, managed to survive then. Therefore, later they embarked on a massive preparation of an economic war against Russia, step by step using all sorts of pretexts, and sometimes simply without any pretexts, they introduced new sanctions restrictions. By the way, today's plans for "economic strangulation" also failed.

Along with this, the enemies of our country forced the production of a new "geopolitical weapon" – it is not new in fact, but, of course, gave it new strength, a new impetus – relied on Russophobia and neo-Nazis, from year to year brazenly, unceremoniously turned our neighboring country, Ukraine, into "anti-Russia".

Let me remind you that when Russia reacted favorably, I would say, in a friendly, comradely, fraternal way to the creation of an independent Ukrainian state, of course, then it was assumed that this would be a friendly state, that we would go further together, strengthening and developing each other, creating the most competitive conditions for our development – yes, in the new historical conditions. But, of course, no one counted on the creation of "anti-Russia" in the historical Russian territories, and we cannot allow this. And then, of course, they brought it to a clash, to a direct clash, pushed Ukraine to a direct clash with Russia, with our country. Let me remind you that such plans, including a military attack on Crimea and Donbass, were spelled out, unfortunately, in the doctrinal Ukrainian documents of today, and the Ukrainian people are destined for the fate of the "expendable material". I think that the realization of this comes to a large part of the people of Ukraine.

The entire course of recent events, including the Kiev regime's claims to possess nuclear weapons, the deployment of a network of Western biological laboratories on Ukrainian territory, and the uninterrupted supply of the most modern weapons to Ukraine, confirm that our response to these cynical plans was correct and timely.

Dear colleagues!

I would like to stress once again that our soldiers and officers, donbass militiamen are heroically fulfilling their duty, and all the tasks set, as I have already said, will be solved.

But what I would like to note and say now. I already spoke about this at the very beginning of the special military operation. I would like to stress once again that if someone intends to interfere with the ongoing events from the outside and creates strategic threats unacceptable to Russia, they should know that our retaliatory strikes will be lightning-fast and fast. We have all the tools for this, such that no one can boast of now. And we will not boast, we will use them if necessary. And I want everyone to know about this, all the decisions we have made in this regard.

Dear colleagues!

I would like to thank all the factions of the State Duma and the Federation Council for their firmness and solidarity support, for ensuring the high pace and quality of law-making work in close cooperation with the Government of the Russian Federation. I hope that legislators in the regions will work just as intensively and as quickly as they will coordinate their activities with regional executive authorities.

Among the measures I am talking about are several packages of anti-sanctions measures adopted in two months, dozens of important laws and by-laws that have already passed through the legislative assemblies and through the Russian parliament.

I would like to note that in the near future specific decisions will be made on the indexation of pensions, all social benefits, as well as salaries of specialists employed in the public sector. For the practical implementation of this step, I ask the parliamentarians to work out all the necessary amendments and legal mechanisms in the most thorough way.

These and our other solutions are aimed at providing direct assistance to the most vulnerable categories of citizens: families with children and people of the older generation. Key sectors of the economy, strategic enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses are also and will be supported. As a result, we not only softened the measures I have just mentioned, but, as has already been said, repelled and blocked the very first, as the West believed, crushing blow from illegitimate sanctions against our country.

Our banking system, national currency, transport, trade, the economy as a whole have resisted and have not "crumbled" – no, on the contrary, they now have a good resource for development, for launching new projects in infrastructure, industry, in developing and unlocking the potentials of all our regions. Of course, this is the result of a balanced, responsible socio-economic policy of recent years, the implementation of our national projects, the result, of course, of your, dear colleagues, coordinated and energetic work in the current extraordinary conditions.

I ask you, together with ministries and departments, gubernatorial teams, as I have already said, the business, scientific and expert community, to continue developing new effective and calculated anti-crisis measures, to strengthen parliamentary control from within over the implementation of decisions taken, to support our people.

At the same time, it is necessary not only to ensure the stability of the economy, the domestic market, the rhythmic work of industrial enterprises, but also to strengthen the industrial and technological sovereignty of our country, and in some areas - and global leadership. This is an absolutely possible task for its solution, where we have – and we do have – the necessary scientific groundwork, engineering schools, and a production base.

How many aircraft have we produced before? Carrier companies were more likely to buy foreign equipment. Yes, foreign equipment has advantages in terms of noise and fuel, but it is necessary that our manufacturers strive for these standards. But they could hardly solve this problem in conditions when the domestic market was seized by foreign producers, that's the problem. And so it is for almost all products. But where possible, where, I repeat, we have advanced schools, engineering personnel, trained potential, it must be developed. We have a lot of such areas. For many areas of production, including high-tech production, good, new, modern opportunities are opening up.

As I have already said, we will respond to crude, often clumsy external restrictions, to the destruction of all civilized rights and treaties, to attempts to isolate us with greater freedom of entrepreneurship, openness to honest partnership, respect and reliable protection of owners and bona fide investors. All these tasks require the direct participation of the deputy corps both in the center and in the regions.

I ask you personally, directly to work with the heads of municipalities and enterprises, with businesses, NGOs, labor collectives, to help them in solving emerging problems, and as a result, to take additional systemic support measures. And I would like to add that United Russia has a special responsibility here, of course, as the leading party. But I now appeal to all parliamentary parties: I ask you to work in solidarity.

In general, I ask all of you to be in direct communication with people. Whose voters they are, and whether anyone even went to the polls – it does not matter at all today, it does not matter. It is important for all people, for all of them, to give time and attention, to respond if you are asked for help and protection, and sometimes just for advice, people come – and you need to respond to this.

And another extremely important task for those who work in the committees on international affairs, in friendship groups with colleagues from other countries. I understand that at some venues it has become impossible, and it is probably pointless, to work, say, in PACE. In general, many of these platforms were created in the early 1990s not in order to harmonize relations in Europe, but in order to influence the post-Soviet space. You and I are well aware of this. But these tools have outlived their time, no one needs them anymore. Let them deal with their own problems, let them fight for higher wages and for solving the problems that they have there, here we will not take time to talk about it. This also applies to human rights, women's rights, say, and so on, and women's inequality in the labour market. In Europe, in the United States, this is full, let them deal with their problems.

But now, nevertheless, it is necessary to make maximum use of all available formats and channels of parliamentary diplomacy: in Europe, in Asia, in Africa, in America – those that remain. Direct contacts will never hurt, because we have many supporters there, I assure you, and you know this yourself. But we need to work with them in order to argue our position, defend the truth, convey information to people who want to know it, truthful information.

The day before yesterday, at the board meeting of the Prosecutor General's Office, I spoke about the need to form a detailed and irrefutable evidence base on all monstrous crimes and violations of international humanitarian law by neo-Nazis and foreign mercenaries. And there are more and more of them there, in Ukraine: once again several people were killed, several were detained, soon the Ministry of Defense will present them to the public. These atrocities will necessarily be given an objective legal assessment. But we need to raise all these issues at the international level, including at the parliamentary level.

I have already spoken about the Kiev regime's prevented attempt to eliminate some of our journalists by carrying out terrorist attacks. What should I say in this regard?

Criminals, terrorists have been neutralized, detained, and investigative actions are being conducted with them. But it is no secret that such methods – the murder of their own journalists and politicians right on the street – have been used on the territory of Ukraine in recent years quite often. Now we have decided to transfer this practice to our territory.

Of course, we will do everything we can to protect the people who work on Russia's official channels, on television and radio, and to protect those people who work on the Internet and take a patriotic position, and of course, the overwhelming majority of them in our media space. But we must understand that such a threat exists. Of course, we cannot attach security to everyone in the form of the FSO, FSB or Rosgvardia, but we will do and are obliged to do as much as possible to ensure their safety.

But what I want to say, and what I'm absolutely sure of. Such attempts to intimidate those who work in the media space, to intimidate Russian journalists who take a patriotic position, are doomed to complete failure. On the contrary – I do not doubt this for a second – it will bring even more people into their ranks to show that we have people who are not afraid of anything and who are ready and will defend the interests of our country.

Dear colleagues!

There are a number of urgent tasks on your agenda. I wish you good luck and success in your work ahead. And of course, I congratulate everyone on the upcoming great, main holiday for us – the holiday of the Great Victory! I am sure that the unbending will, courage and loyalty to the Fatherland will always inspire you, all of us.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Take care. Thank you.