Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed that Moscow would achieve all goals in Ukraine, marking the second anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian regions Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson in February 2022. Putin justified sending troops to Ukraine to protect Russian speakers against a “neo-Nazi dictatorship”. He criticized “Western elites” for turning Ukraine into a military base aimed at Russia. Putin stated that the conflict in Ukraine is about securing a prosperous future for future generations.