Just a few days ago, the world wondered if Vladimir Putin had died or fallen in a secret coup. Today, at an outdoor concert to celebrate the first year since Russia annexed Crimea, the Russian President delivered a fiery speech.



Photo: Mikhail Metzel / TASS / Vida Press

“Exactly one year ago,” Putin began, “the Russian people demonstrated surprising composure and surprising patriotism, helping the Crimeans return home.”

Putin told the crowd that other countries’ efforts to interfere with Russian affairs are “futile,” saying Russia will “overcome all the difficulties others are now trying to place on us from abroad,” as well as the difficulties Russians create for themselves, he added with a smile.

Putin also addressed Ukraine’s struggles, saying “extreme nationalism is always harmful and dangerous,” and implied that Ukrainian voters would hold the parliament and the Poroshenko Administration responsible the country’s current mess. “I, for one, have always thought of Russians and Ukrainians as a single people,” he added.

Putin concluded his speech by thanking the crowd for its support, saying “Long live Russia!”

Концерт в честь годовщины воссоединения Крыма с Россией RT на русском