Putin delivers 'comprehensive speech': Concerns and fears - what will he announce?

Created: 09/30/2022, 11:39 am

By: Stephanie Munk

According to the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin will deliver a “comprehensive speech” on the Ukraine war on Friday.

What will he tell Russia and the world?

Moscow – There will be a big celebration in Moscow on Friday, including a concert in the middle of the city center: Russia wants to celebrate what is causing international horror this Friday (September 30) in a big way.

The annexation of four Ukrainian regions to Russia is to be formally completed.

, Red Square in Moscow was

cordoned off on Thursday and a large stage with the words "Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, Cherson" was set up.

These Ukrainian regions are to be declared Russian territory - a total of around 15 percent of Ukraine's territory.

The main actor in the production is, of course, President Vladimir Putin.

According to his spokesman Dmitry Peskov, he will give a long, "comprehensive speech".

What Putin will say is unclear - but it could herald a new escalation in the conflict with Russia.

The world looks with concern and fears at the speech, which is scheduled to take place at around 2 p.m. German time and is expected to be broadcast by major news channels worldwide, in Germany by Phoenix.

A speech by Vladimir Putin in Moscow is eagerly awaited.

© Mikhail Metzel/Imago

Putin Speech on Annexation: Russia Needs Success in Ukraine War

After the defeats in the Ukraine war, Putin needs something that he can sell his people as a success.

His army recently had to accept severe setbacks, Ukraine reconquered large areas.

There is also domestic political pressure: since Putin announced the partial mobilization of the Russian armed forces, the state has been sending out draft orders.

Men who previously pursued ordinary jobs have to go to the draft and to the barracks to train for action at the front.

There were protests, and many Russians fled the country out of fear.

According to an independent survey, almost every second Russian describes his emotional state after Putin's speech on partial mobilization with "fear, fear, horror".

It seems likely that Putin will declare the annexation of the territories a great triumph and partial victory in the Ukraine war in his speech on Friday.

He could use this to justify his “special military operation”, the sense of which many people apparently doubt, and seek new support in the conflict.

Putin's speech on annexations: is he threatening nuclear weapons again?

On the other hand, towards his opponents - Ukraine and the West - Putin could repeat or even intensify earlier threats.

Even before the sham referendums, Putin had hinted that Russia's army would defend the annexed areas by any means necessary - an indirect threat to Russia's nuclear arsenal.

An attack on the annexed Ukrainian territories would be considered an attack on Russia, the Russian president clarified.

In view of the inconsequential Ukrainian airstrikes on the already annexed Crimea, experts have doubted such drastic reactions.

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It is also possible that Putin responds to the wave of refugees leaving his country and announces the consequences.

Hundreds of thousands of Russians have fled to neighboring countries to avoid military action since Putin announced partial mobilization.

Above all, the well-educated and better-off Russians are fleeing.

Putin could impose a ban on leaving Russia on Friday or ban reservists from leaving their place of residence.

According to Putin's order, conscripted Russians are no longer allowed to do so by law - the Duma has said so far that people can still travel undisturbed within Russia, but that trips abroad are "no longer recommended".

It is therefore also possible that Putin will reassure his people about the partial mobilization in order to curb further resentment.

Vladimir Putin: The political career of the Russian head of state in pictures

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Putin's speech on annexations: Bogus referendums are condemned internationally

Internationally, the annexation of the Ukrainian territories is seen as a farce: the sham referendums held by the Russian occupiers in Ukraine clearly violate international law.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) sharply criticized the actions of the Russian occupiers: People were taken out of their homes and workplaces under threats and sometimes at gunpoint and forced to vote.

The result was also absurdly high: Between 87 and 99.2 percent of those taking part in the referendum in the four regions concerned allegedly agreed to belong to Russia in the future.