Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Photo: Sputnik)

Opening his speech, Putin said Russia is in a difficult and landmark moment, right on the eve of historical events. With patience, Russia is peacefully negotiating its way out of the current conflict, but a completely different scenario is being prepared, he said. Putin emphasized that Moscow will decide the tasks of the special military operation in Ukraine step by step.

He said Russia will never succumb to the West’s divisive plots, and stated that the majority of the Russians support the military operation.

This is Putin’s 18th State of the Union address to the Federal Assembly just before the one-year milestone of the operation.