Putin said the invasion of Ukraine was about the 'basic values' of returning land that is Russia's
Vladimir Putin has compared himself to the 18th century Russian tsar Peter the Great, claiming that he is taking back land that is rightfully Russia's.
At a public appearance for an exhibition celebrating the historic Russian figure, Putin said: “Peter the Great waged the great northern war for 21 years. It would seem that he was at war with Sweden, he took something from them. He did not take anything from them, he returned [what was Russia’s].”
In the early 1700s, Peter the Great declared war on Sweden, taking land on the Baltic coast that the Swedes had claimed half a century earlier. He then built the city of St Petersburg on this land, which was Russia's capital until 1917.
Whereas in the past Putin has sought to justify his invasion of Ukraine with baseless and unfounded claims of a neo-Nazi threat in the country, this is the first time he has openly appeared to embrace the invasion as an empirical quest to gain land and strengthen, once again portraying the idea that he is symbolic figure in the nation's history
He added: "Apparently, it is also our lot to return [what is Russia’s] and strengthen [the country]. And if we proceed from the fact that these basic values form the basis of our existence, we will certainly succeed in solving the tasks that we face.”
https://twitter.com/TadeuszGiczan/status/1534910119519178752
The 69-year-old has always had a fascination with Russian history and has a clear desire to become as significant a figure in his country's history as the likes of Josef Stalin and Peter the Great were
Several suggested that there was perhaps a more suitable figure from Russian history that Putin should be comparing himself to though.
https://twitter.com/IskanderRehman/status/1534915698241191938
https://twitter.com/PoliticOddball/status/1535131393939881985
Ivan the Terrible ruled Russia from 1547 to 1575 and is infamous for torturing and murdering anyone he saw as an opponent or threat to his rule. This included gruesome methods such as roasting them alive on specially constructed frying pans.
He was also renowned for his warmongering, bringing the Russian economy to its knees by raiding the nation's wealth, and murdering his own son after beating his daughter-in-law so severely that she miscarried.
https://twitter.com/kittyminovitch/status/1535160037139783687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1535160037139783687%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.joe.co.uk%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D341171action%3Dedit
https://twitter.com/ChrisSzkoda/status/1535185978813517824
Also on Friday, it was reported that Putin was given "
urgent medical assistance" after an hour-and-a-half meeting earlier this week due to a "sharp sickness."
The Russian President has also been urged by his doctors to not conduct lengthy interviews, according to the General SVR Telegram channel.
The claims are reportedly based on inside intelligence close to Putin, but they are currently not able to be verified.
The channel said the advise to not make public appearances was given after a 90 minute video meeting Putin had with military leaders.
After this meeting, Putin apparently "felt a sharp sickness, weakness and dizziness while trying to get up from the table."
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