Putin: We had no choice but to fight this war

Russian President Vladimir Putin once again justified the war against Ukraine, which has been going on for nearly four months, saying there was no alternative but to fight this war.

"In the current situation, against the background of the increased risks and threats facing us, Russia's decision to conduct a special military operation was forced and necessary," Putin said Friday at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg.

The president said the West had "effectively pumped into Ukraine its weapons and military advisors".

"The decision is aimed at protecting our citizens and residents of the people's republics in the Donbass region, who have been subjected to genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years," Putin added.

In response to a question about Russians who are ashamed of attacks on their army in the neighboring country, Putin said: "As you know, those who are ashamed are those who do not connect their fate, their lives and the lives of their children with our country."

Putin had already accused Ukraine of committing a "genocide" against Russian speakers in recent years - without providing any evidence.

And Moscow justifies the war it launched on the neighboring country at the end of last February with the alleged "liberation" of Ukraine from the "neo-Nazis".

On June 9, Putin put the war he ordered against Ukraine on the same level as the Great Northern War under the command of Russian Tsar Peter I, and spoke of a campaign to restore Russian lands.

Peter I did not capture the area around St. Petersburg today from the Swedes, but took it back, Putin said, explaining what he sees similar to that now in the war against Ukraine: "Obviously this is our lot as well: return and strengthening."

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