Putin Defends Ukraine Invasion in Major Speech

“Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Western countries Tuesday of igniting and sustaining the war in Ukraine, dismissing any blame for Moscow almost a year after the Kremlin’s unprovoked invasion of its neighbor that has killed tens of thousands of people,” the AP reports.

“In his long-delayed state-of-the-nation address, Putin cast Russia — and Ukraine — as victims of Western double-dealing and said Russia, not Ukraine, was the one fighting for its very existence.”

CNN: Biden set for latest symbolic clash with Putin after surprise Ukraine trip.