Russia: Sergei Lavrov assures that the offensive against Ukraine has “purged” society

2024-01-18T16:45:58.512Z

Highlights: Russia: Sergei Lavrov assures that the offensive against Ukraine has “purged” society. Lavrov also insists: “ The special operation united society in Russia to an unprecedented degree and helped purge it of people who did not feel a sense of belonging to Russian history and culture” The Russian government also intends to demonstrate, both externally and internally, the support of the Russians for their head of state which would be final. In any case, this is the objective of the presidential election in mid-March.

Sergei Lavrov held his annual press conference this Thursday, January 18, on the results of Russian diplomacy. On this occasion, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs returned to what is according to…

Russia: Sergei Lavrov assures that the offensive against Ukraine has “purged” society

Sergei Lavrov held his annual press conference this Thursday, January 18, on the results of Russian diplomacy.

On this occasion, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs returned to what he believes is a positive consequence of sending Russian soldiers to Ukraine: a Russian society purged of its critical elements.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during his annual press conference in Moscow, Thursday, January 18, 2024. AP - Alexander Zemlianichenko

By: Anissa El Jabri Follow

From our correspondent in Moscow

This is not the first time that the Russian authorities have mentioned the need for a purge in Russian society.

At the very beginning of the war, on March 17, 2022, Vladimir Putin declared in a speech at the Luzhniki stadium: “

The Russian people will always be able to recognize the scum and the traitors, spit them out like one would spit out a fly that had entered the mouth

.”

The exact figure has since been unknown, but many citizens have fled the country, whether opposed to sending soldiers to Ukraine or partial mobilization.

MPs regularly speak of the need to punish more severely those who are judged to be criticizing their country in Russia or abroad.

Almost two years after the start of the conflict, Sergei Lavrov also insists:

“

The special operation united society in Russia to an unprecedented degree and helped purge it of people who did not feel a sense of belonging to Russian history and culture.
Some of them left, others stayed and started thinking.
But the overwhelming majority of society rallied

.”

The Russian government also intends to demonstrate, both externally and internally, the support of the Russians for their head of state which would be final.

In any case, this is the objective of the presidential election in mid-March.

And too bad if for everyone the expected result has absolutely no suspense.

Read alsoRussia: Vladimir Putin formalizes his candidacy for the presidential election of March 2024

Russia: Sergei Lavrov assures that the offensive against Ukraine has “purged” society

Russia: Sergei Lavrov assures that the offensive against Ukraine has “purged” society

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