Putin denounces West for 'aggression'

MOSCOW/KYIV — Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a New Year address to Russians, accused Western countries of aggression and claimed they were trying to use the Ukraine conflict to undermine Moscow.

"It was a year of difficult, necessary decisions, the most important steps toward gaining full sovereignty of Russia and powerful consolidation of our society," he said, echoing his repeated contention that Moscow had no choice but to send troops into Ukraine because it threatened Russia's security.

"The West lied about peace, but was preparing for aggression, and today it admits it openly, no longer embarrassed. And they cynically use Ukraine and its people to weaken and split Russia," Putin said on Saturday. "We have never allowed anyone and will not allow anyone to do this."

He added: "For years, the Western elites hypocritically assured all of us of their peaceful intentions, including the resolution of the most difficult conflict in the Donbas."

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Putin delivered his New Year's speech from the headquarters of Russia's southern military district, where he visited to present awards to service personnel.

Among the recipients of the awards was Russia's commander in Ukraine, General Sergey Surovikin, Russian news agencies said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also delivered a New Year speech. "I want to wish all of us one thing — victory. And that's the main thing. One wish for all Ukrainians," Zelensky said in a video message released minutes before midnight on New Year's Eve.

Minutes after Zelensky's speech went out, blasts were heard in Kyiv and around the country. The attacks followed a barrage of more than 20 cruise missiles fired across Ukraine on Saturday, media reported.

Russia and Ukraine said on Saturday they had freed more than 200 captured soldiers, the latest prisoner exchange between the two sides in the conflict, Reuters reported.

Russia's Defense Ministry said 82 Russian soldiers had been released by Ukraine, while the Ukrainian president's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said Russia had handed over 140 Ukrainian service personnel.

Some of the 132 Ukrainian men and eight women who were freed had been wounded or had fought to defend the Black Sea port city of Mariupol and on Snake Island, Yermak said in a message on his Telegram page.

A day earlier, the Russian Finance Ministry said in a statement that Russia would continue to limit the share of assets denominated in currencies from "unfriendly" states in its National Wealth Fund.

XINHUA