Also today, Russian President Putin addressed his people. Where he spoke for a full two hours yesterday, today he’s been on stage for a little less time. According to Russia correspondent Joost Bosman, it was mostly the usual topics that he tackled.
In particular, patriotism and love for Russia and the Russian troops prevailed in his speech, Bosman knows. “Those troops would fight bravely and heroically, and he said the ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine is taking place on Russia’s historic borders.”
After that, people reportedly chanted ‘cheers’ three more times before Putin disappeared from the stage. According to the organizers, more than 200,000 people were present at the stadium, but the Russians are far from united in their opinion on the war in Ukraine. “On state television you see people wholeheartedly expressing their support for Russian troops and the country, but if you look outside, there are a lot of people who were already making their way to the subway before Putin even started his speech. There would also have been people who were sent there but didn’t want to go.”
Ukraine
In Ukraine, Putin’s speeches cause quite an unpleasant sensation, as Europe reporter Geert Jan Hahn knows. “Obviously everyone is concerned about February 24, which is one year old,” he says. “But today is a year ago that Donetsk and Luhansk regions were declared Russian on paper by Putin.”
Hahn – who is currently in western Ukraine – speaks of mixed feelings among Ukrainians. There are also a lot of nostalgic feelings, he knows that. “At times like this, people think a lot about life back then, that it will never come back.”
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
