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EASTERNISATION — PBBM’S OPENING DIPLOMATIC SALVO

The first official State visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr conveys both continuity with the foreign policy of the Duterte Administration and its refinement.

It continues Duterte’s move to easternise the orientation of Philippine foreign policy. It started with the delimitation of American influence, and embracing and strengthening more our relations with Asian powers. That Duterte never visited the U.S. is its ultimate expression.

Choosing Indonesia as the first country he would visit is PBBM’s refinement of PRRD’s foreign policy.

Indonesia is middle power in international politics. It’s a member of the G20, a forum of the 20 largest economies in the world. It’s a major world maritime power, as it commands the largest navy in South East Asia. Its sea power extends to its control of two of the most important chokepoints in the world trade system: Sunda and Lombok.

In terms of demography, Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, about 205 million. It’s also the the third largest democracy in the world.

In terms of foreign policy, Indonesia has a neutral non-aligned status, a policy that started during the Cold War, in which it refused to take sides between the two poles of world power during that time: the US and the USSR.

During his meeting today (September 5) with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, PBBM stated his reason why he chose Indonesia as his first State visit: “We are close in terms not only of geographical location, we are close in terms of culture, we are close in terms of ethnicity.”

The choice of a non-aligned, neutral middle power is an opening diplomatic salvo midwifing the foreign policy track PBBM laid down during the campaign: balancing the fine line between the two Great Rivals in the 21st Century.

This also suggests that PBBM will also pay much more importance with our relations with our neighbours.

During his interview with Toni Gonzaga in September 2021, PBBM was asked “if he were to change on thing in Philippines history, what would you change?”

PBBM answered without batting an eyelash: “the colonisations. Sana hindi na tayo na-colonize. I would do away with the Spanish colonisation, the 300 years. And all the others. The Americans essentially colonised us too. I think Filipinos deserve better than to be second class citizens.”

He looked so far in time, as he understands the effect of colonisations in our (mal)development as a nation. Indonesia and the Philippines share the same history of colonisation and experience in navigating post-colonial conditions. However, between the Philippines and Indonesia, it is the latter that has a better state of independence from a former coloniser. The Philippines has a lot to learn from it.

The 21st Century is going to be the re-emergence of Asia as the centre of world economy. It’s the pre-colonial heritage of our region. Pre-colonial Indonesia was a very important player in that Eurasian trade, and it will regain that importance as Asia continues to rise and reclaim its former glory.

PBBM’s first state visit bears this deeper meaning: we must finally deeply embrace our Easternhood, synthesise with it whatever good we inherited from our Western colonizers, and integrate these two heritages into a strong identity that will give us that unique positioning among our Eastern peers as we rise together as Asia.

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DepEd asks CoA to conduct fraud audit of DBM procured laptops THE Department of Education (DepEd) has asked the Commission on Audit to conduct a fraud audit on the procurement of laptops for teachers by the Procurement Services of the...

MAGANDANG BALITA SA SEKTOR NG AGRIKULTURA!

Sa tulong ni Senator B**g Go, isa ng ganap na batas ang RA 11901.

Ayon kay Go, pangunahing kabuhayan ng karamihan sa ating mga Pilipino ay ang agrikultura, kung kaya’t nararapat lamang na mas palakasin pa natin ang mga programa o kaya naman ay dagdagan pa upang mas lalong ma-engganyo ang ating mga magsasaka. Aniya, sila ang nagsisiguro na may makakain tayo sa araw-araw.

Nilinaw ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na hindi na sasama muli ang Pilipinas sa International Criminal Court. Ito ay sa gitna ng pagsasagawa ng imbestigasyon ng ICC sa ‘war on drugs’ at kanyang binigyang pagtitiyak na may isinasagawang sariling imbestigasyon ang pamahalaan.

BASAHIN: https://bit.ly/3JnMvFS

Nakakuha ng pinakamataas na performance rating si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan Surveys noong Hunyo 2022.

“This unprecedented end of presidential term finish only proves how the tapang & malasakit programs and policies of the former president have touched the hearts and minds of the super majority of our countrymen,” ayon kay dating PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar.

Basahin: https://balita.net.ph/2022/07/12/ex-pres-duterte-nakakuha-ng-pinakamataas-na-approval-rating-sa-kasaysayan-ng-pilipinas/

Filipinos must brace for more effects of the high inflation rate, including possible fare adjustments and increase in prices of consumer products in the coming months, an economist said. https://bit.ly/3Py6UKf | via ONE News

🇵🇭Steel production during Marcos Era, is now Back but no longer in Iligan City the home of Philippine National Steel Corp during Marcos time, but now in Zamboanga.

According to the Philippine partner, a joint venture between FILIPINOs and Chinese will begin building a steel manufacturing factory in the southern Philippines next month. The project is anticipated to be completely operational within four years.

The $1 billion (P55 Billion) smelting facility will be processing ore from a mining location in the adjacent province of Zamboanga del Sur, which is located on the western part of the island of Mindanao.

The Mount Zynai Industrial Park, a complex that will house the company’s administrative and operational center as well as local and international locators in the steel production and downline sectors, will include the Mount Zynai Integrated Steel Mill and Smelting Plant.

The company aims to produce 1.5 million metric tons (MT) of steel bars and steel products every year.

“This is a very important project for the country because when you have the steel plant, you have 1,000 industries that will be created… somebody will order, you give us the steel for the use of nails, steel bars,”

– Leonardo A. Fernandez, chairman and chief operating officer of Mount Zynai 0304 Mining Corp. (MZMC)

STORY: https://bit.ly/3RdcGT9

JUST IN: Ipinag-utos ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. kay DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo na linisin ang listahan ng 4Ps, sapagkat marami sa listahan ang Hindi dapat tumatanggap pero nananatiling nakalista. Sa panayam ni Sec. Tulfo sa Unang Hirit ay "Maaaring makasuhan ang mga ito ng Estafa, sapagkat patuloy nilang niloloko ang gobyerno." | via Kuya Harrold ﾂ

READ: 250 AIRPORT PROJECTS COMPLETED UNDER THE DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION

Advanced air connectivity and mobility in the country, and to the rest of the world—this has been the aim of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), under the visionary leadership of Secretary Art Tugade, since taking office six years ago.

Thus, the Department has been relentless in working above and beyond to pursue this mandate and remains unstoppable in building new gateways and rehabilitating existing ones up to the last day of office.

Since the advent of the Duterte Administration in 2016, the DOTr, together with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), has COMPLETED 250 AVIATION AND AIRPORT PROJECTS.

The completed projects include the new passenger terminal of the Clark International Airport, the new and world-class Bicol International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Puerto Princesa International Airport, Zamboanga International Airport, Catarman Airport, Calbayog Airport, Siquijor Airport, General Santos Airport, Ormoc Airport, Virac Airport, Camiguin Airport, Butuan Airport, among others.

Moreover, wasting no time at all and even in the final stretch of the current administration, the DOTr’s Aviation and Airports Sector continued to oversee the developments at the NAIA, Vigan Airport, Surigao Airport, Siargao Airport, and Davao International Airport.

Other notable projects for the country’s aviation and airports include the establishment of the long-delayed Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM), as well as the night-rating of 23 commercial airports, in a bid to increase the operational efficiency of airports and reduce daytime flight congestion.

To recall, among the longstanding issues that the DOTr has resolved are the incidents of “Laglag-Bala” and “Bukas Bagahe” in airports. From being tagged as ‘world’s worst airport,' the NAIA has been recognized as one of the world's 'most improved in the world.'

As what Secretary Tugade previously remarked, “This is what we have done— build the airports, improve it, modernize it, make it world-class.”

At the DOTr, we remain driven to deliver, serve, and build for the Filipino people, with a vision of making their lives comfortable and convenient.

Source: Department of Transportation - Philippines

“Wala naman tayong magawa, we just have to take whatever price we’re getting but, hopefully, I remember in the last oil crisis in 1973, napakiusapan naman natin ang mga kaibigan natin na oil-producing countries na medyo pagbigyan tayo in terms of credit, in terms of the payment period, and things like that. Baka we’ll pursue that again, sa diplomacy side lang naman ‘yan."

Marcos has already opened discussions with countries that have oil supplies to cushion the impact of fuel price increases.

President Duterte is leaving behind a “far better” Philippines than what was handed over to him by his predecessor six years ago. Duterte is not inclined to serve as BBM’s anti-drug czar. Broadcaster Erwin Tulfo, Liloan Cebu Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco and three more personalities have been picked by BBM to join his Cabinet.

Read these, and then some, for free on today’s Trib on Press Reader:

https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/daily-tribune-philippines/20220531

PBBM: “Trabaho na tayo…the people have spoken”

President-elect B**gbong Marcos said it’s time to move forward and set aside bitter rivalries for the sake of the Philippines as he admitted that “marami na” among the camps of his presidential rivals in the 2022 elections have approached him for a possible position under his administration

Though he didn’t divulge their identities, Marcos revealed in his first press conference following his proclamation on Thursday morning that “marami na, marami na. Meron nga yung sinasabi, hindi ko na lang babanggitin kung sino pero iilan diyan, nagsabi, ‘eh, lumaban kami sa iyo siguro wala na kaming pag-asa diyan sa gobyerno mo.’

“Hindi. Pulitika lang yan. Trabaho na tayo. Ok lang yun,” he said as he coolly set aside the conflicts that sprung up during the heated campaign period especially against the camp of Vice President Leni Robredo.

“For me, that’s part of it and that’s finished. The people have spoken. The decision has been made so let’s work on that basis,” he said.

He pointed out he is open to anyone who fits his “criterion” and is willing to help him battle the problems facing the country.

“Again, ang aking criterion talaga sa kukunin namin eh kung sino yung marunong, sino yung magaling doon sa area na yun at handang tumulong. What else do you need?”

Prior to his victory, Marcos ran under a ‘unity’ platform and has vowed to recognize all ‘colors’ whether that person belongs under his ‘red and green’ team or from other presidentiables like his archrival ‘pink’ champion Robredo.

Now that he has won thanks to the more than 31 million Filipinos who voted for him, Marcos, based on his latest pronouncements, is willing to accept any qualified individual who can assist him in running the affairs of government. JOSE RONALD F. SIONGCO/GDM

PHOTOS: B**gbong Marcos/Jillian Robredo

DOE grants exploration contract for Cotabato Basin | Power Philippines The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a petroleum service contract to SK Liguasan Oil and Gas Corporation (SKLOGC) to develop the Cotabato Basin, which..

ABOLISH THE 1987 CONSTITUTION
Ang 1987 Constitution ni CORY Aquino ay PABOR sa mga OLIGARCHS at mga KOMUNISTA.

Ayaw nila umunlad ang Pilipinas.
Habang may mahirap, may narecruit ang mga Komunista at may naagrabyado na mga MANGAGAWA ang mga OLIGARCHS.

READ: President Rodrigo Duterte says he will keep Filipino soldiers out of the raging war between Russia and Ukraine, even if the United States gets involved.

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte announced that the current position of the Philippines in the Ukraine-Russia conflict is neutral. He also prayed to God that the situation would not get out of control because he said Russia has 1,000 nuclear warheads and the world could melt if they are released.

"As for me, we stay neutral but reality tells me that in the end we'll just have to select which side we would be," Duterte said at the inauguration of Narvacan Farmer’s Market in Ilocos Sur, March 4.

Whahaha

"Pwede naman mag-Google para di naman nakakahiya ang sinasabi niyo."

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa claps back at allegations that the online news platform has access to Comelec's data because of the precinct finder embedding on its website.

READ: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/04/22/precinct-finder-embed-does-not-mean-data-access-ressa

After DOJ review, 250 more 'war on drugs' cases sent to NBI

Months before President Rodrigo Duterte steps down from office, the National Bureau of Investigation will conduct case build-up on “war on drugs” operations that resulted in deaths from July 2016 to June 2020, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said.

In his speech before the United Nations Human Rights Council, Guevarra said the Department of Justice-led "war on drugs" review panel is set to endorse 250 cases that involve reported deaths in Central Luzon anti-narcotics operations.

Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar told reporters that the 250 cases referred to the NBI, an attached agency of the department, is for "case build-up and determination of possible criminal liability."

Case build-up could lead to criminal complaints being filed. Those complaints will then go through preliminary investigation that could lead to an indictment, which might then lead to trial.

The case files cover the period of July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2020 involving anti-illegal drug operations where deaths occurred, she added. | via Philstar

📷 Noel Celis

READ: Russian President Vladimir Putin's full speech

Citizens of Russia, friends,

I consider it necessary today to speak again about the tragic events in Donbas and the key aspects of ensuring the security of Russia.
I will begin with what I said in my address on February 21, 2022. I spoke about our biggest concerns and worries, and about the fundamental threats which irresponsible Western politicians created for Russia consistently, rudely and unceremoniously from year to year. I am referring to the eastward expansion of NATO, which is moving its military infrastructure ever closer to the Russian border.

It is a fact that over the past 30 years we have been patiently trying to come to an agreement with the leading NATO countries regarding the principles of equal and indivisible security in Europe. In response to our proposals, we invariably faced either cynical deception and lies or attempts at pressure and blackmail, while the North Atlantic alliance continued to expand despite our protests and concerns. Its military machine is moving and, as I said, is approaching our very border.

Why is this happening? Where did this insolent manner of talking down from the height of their exceptionalism, infallibility and all-permissiveness come from? What is the explanation for this contemptuous and disdainful attitude to our interests and absolutely legitimate demands?

The answer is simple. Everything is clear and obvious. In the late 1980s, the Soviet Union grew weaker and subsequently broke apart. That experience should serve as a good lesson for us, because it has shown us that the paralysis of power and will is the first step towards complete degradation and oblivion. We lost confidence for only one moment, but it was enough to disrupt the balance of forces in the world.
As a result, the old treaties and agreements are no longer effective. Entreaties and requests do not help. Anything that does not suit the dominant state, the powers that be, is denounced as archaic, obsolete and useless. At the same time, everything it regards as useful is presented as the ultimate truth and forced on others regardless of the cost, abusively and by any means available. Those who refuse to comply are subjected to strong-arm tactics.

What I am saying now does not concerns only Russia, and Russia is not the only country that is worried about this. This has to do with the entire system of international relations, and sometimes even US allies. The collapse of the Soviet Union led to a redivision of the world, and the norms of international law that developed by that time -- and the most important of them, the fundamental norms that were adopted following WWII and largely formalised its outcome -- came in the way of those who declared themselves the winners of the Cold War.
Of course, practice, international relations and the rules regulating them had to take into account the changes that took place in the world and in the balance of forces.

However, this should have been done professionally, smoothly, patiently, and with due regard and respect for the interests of all states and one's own responsibility. Instead, we saw a state of euphoria created by the feeling of absolute superiority, a kind of modern absolutism, coupled with the low cultural standards and arrogance of those who formulated and pushed through decisions that suited only themselves. The situation took a different turn.

There are many examples of this. First a bloody military operation was waged against Belgrade, without the UN Security Council's sanction but with combat aircraft and missiles used in the heart of Europe. The bombing of peaceful cities and vital infrastructure went on for several weeks. I have to recall these facts, because some Western colleagues prefer to forget them, and when we mentioned the event, they prefer to avoid speaking about international law, instead emphasising the circumstances which they interpret as they think necessary.

Then came the turn of Iraq, Libya and Syria. The illegal use of military power against Libya and the distortion of all the UN Security Council decisions on Libya ruined the state, created a huge seat of international terrorism, and pushed the country towards a humanitarian catastrophe, into the vortex of a civil war, which has continued there for years. The tragedy, which was created for hundreds of thousands and even millions of people not only in Libya but in the whole region, has led to a large-scale exodus from the Middle East and North Africa to Europe.
A similar fate was also prepared for Syria. The combat operations conducted by the Western coalition in that country without the Syrian government's approval or UN Security Council's sanction can only be defined as aggression and intervention.

But the example that stands apart from the above events is, of course, the invasion of Iraq without any legal grounds. They used the pretext of allegedly reliable information available in the United States about the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. To prove that allegation, the US Secretary of State held up a vial with white power, publicly, for the whole world to see, assuring the international community that it was a chemical warfare agent created in Iraq. It later turned out that all of that was a fake and a sham, and that Iraq did not have any chemical weapons. Incredible and shocking but true. We witnessed lies made at the highest state level and voiced from the high UN rostrum. As a result we see a tremendous loss in human life, damage, destruction, and a colossal upsurge of terrorism.
Overall, it appears that nearly everywhere, in many regions of the world where the United States brought its law and order, this created bloody, non-healing wounds and the curse of international terrorism and extremism. I have only mentioned the most glaring but far from only examples of disregard for international law.

This array includes promises not to expand NATO eastwards even by an inch. To reiterate: they have deceived us, or, to put it simply, they have played us. Sure, one often hears that politics is a dirty business. It could be, but it shouldn't be as dirty as it is now, not to such an extent. This type of con-artist behaviour is contrary not only to the principles of international relations but also and above all to the generally accepted norms of morality and ethics. Where is justice and truth here? Just lies and hypocrisy all around.

Incidentally, US politicians, political scientists and journalists write and say that a veritable "empire of lies" has been created inside the United States in recent years. It is hard to disagree with this -- it is really so. But one should not be modest about it: the United States is still a great country and a system-forming power. All its satellites not only humbly and obediently say yes to and parrot it at the slightest pretext but also imitate its behaviour and enthusiastically accept the rules it is offering them. Therefore, one can say with good reason and confidence that the whole so-called Western bloc formed by the United States in its own image and likeness is, in its entirety, the very same "empire of lies".

As for our country, after the disintegration of the USSR, given the entire unprecedented openness of the new, modern Russia, its readiness to work honestly with the United States and other Western partners, and its practically unilateral disarmament, they immediately tried to put the final squeeze on us, finish us off, and utterly destroy us. This is how it was in the 1990s and the early 2000s, when the so-called collective West was actively supporting separatism and gangs of mercenaries in southern Russia. What victims, what losses we had to sustain and what trials we had to go through at that time before we broke the back of international terrorism in the Caucasus! We remember this and will never forget.
Properly speaking, the attempts to use us in their own interests never ceased until quite recently: they sought to destroy our traditional values and force on us their false values that would erode us, our people from within, the attitudes they have been aggressively imposing on their countries, attitudes that are directly leading to degradation and degeneration, because they are contrary to human nature. This is not going to happen. No one has ever succeeded in doing this, nor will they succeed now.

Despite all that, in December 2021, we made yet another attempt to reach agreement with the United States and its allies on the principles of European security and NATO's non-expansion. Our efforts were in vain. The United States has not changed its position. It does not believe it necessary to agree with Russia on a matter that is critical for us. The United States is pursuing its own objectives, while neglecting our interests.

Of course, this situation begs a question: what next, what are we to expect? If history is any guide, we know that in 1940 and early 1941 the Soviet Union went to great lengths to prevent war or at least delay its outbreak. To this end, the USSR sought not to provoke the potential aggressor until the very end by refraining or postponing the most urgent and obvious preparations it had to make to defend itself from an imminent attack. When it finally acted, it was too late.

As a result, the country was not prepared to counter the invasion by N**i Germany, which attacked our motherland on June 22, 1941, without declaring war. The country stopped the enemy and went on to defeat it, but this came at a tremendous cost. The attempt to appease the aggressor ahead of the Great Patriotic War proved to be a mistake which came at a high cost for our people. In the first months after the hostilities broke out, we lost vast territories of strategic importance, as well as millions of lives. We will not make this mistake the second time. We have no right to do so.

Those who aspire to global dominance have publicly designated Russia as their enemy. They did so with impunity. Make no mistake, they had no reason to act this way. It is true that they have considerable financial, scientific, technological, and military capabilities. We are aware of this and have an objective view of the economic threats we have been hearing, just as our ability to counter this brash and never-ending blackmail. Let me reiterate that we have no illusions in this regard and are extremely realistic in our assessments.

As for military affairs, even after the dissolution of the USSR and losing a considerable part of its capabilities, today's Russia remains one of the most powerful nuclear states. Moreover, it has a certain advantage in several cutting-edge weapons. In this context, there should be no doubt for anyone that any potential aggressor will face defeat and ominous consequences should it directly attack our country.
At the same time, technology, including in the defence sector, is changing rapidly. One day there is one leader, and tomorrow another, but a military presence in territories bordering on Russia, if we permit it to go ahead, will stay for decades to come or maybe forever, creating an ever mounting and totally unacceptable threat for Russia.

Even now, with NATO's eastward expansion the situation for Russia has been becoming worse and more dangerous by the year. Moreover, these past days NATO leadership has been blunt in its statements that they need to accelerate and step up efforts to bring the alliance’s infrastructure closer to Russia's borders. In other words, they have been toughening their position. We cannot stay idle and passively observe these developments. This would be an absolutely irresponsible thing to do for us.

Any further expansion of the North Atlantic alliance's infrastructure or the ongoing efforts to gain a military foothold of the Ukrainian territory are unacceptable for us. Of course, the question is not about NATO itself. It merely serves as a tool of US foreign policy. The problem is that in territories adjacent to Russia, which I have to note is our historical land, a hostile "anti-Russia" is taking shape. Fully controlled from the outside, it is doing everything to attract NATO armed forces and obtain cutting-edge weapons.

For the United States and its allies, it is a policy of containing Russia, with obvious geopolitical dividends. For our country, it is a matter of life and death, a matter of our historical future as a nation. This is not an exaggeration; this is a fact. It is not only a very real threat to our interests but to the very existence of our state and to its sovereignty. It is the red line which we have spoken about on numerous occasions. They have crossed it.

This brings me to the situation in Donbas. We can see that the forces that staged the coup in Ukraine in 2014 have seized power, are keeping it with the help of ornamental election procedures and have abandoned the path of a peaceful conflict settlement. For eight years, for eight endless years we have been doing everything possible to settle the situation by peaceful political means. Everything was in vain.
As I said in my previous address, you cannot look without compassion at what is happening there. It became impossible to tolerate it. We had to stop that atrocity, that genocide of the millions of people who live there and who pinned their hopes on Russia, on all of us. It is their aspirations, the feelings and pain of these people that were the main motivating force behind our decision to recognise the independence of the Donbas people's republics.

I would like to additionally emphasise the following. Focused on their own goals, the leading NATO countries are supporting the far-right nationalists and neo-N**is in Ukraine, those who will never forgive the people of Crimea and Sevastopol for freely making a choice to reunite with Russia.

They will undoubtedly try to bring war to Crimea just as they have done in Donbas, to kill innocent people just as members of the punitive units of Ukrainian nationalists and Hitler's accomplices did during the Great Patriotic War. They have also openly laid claim to several other Russian regions.

If we look at the sequence of events and the incoming reports, the showdown between Russia and these forces cannot be avoided. It is only a matter of time. They are getting ready and waiting for the right moment. Moreover, they went as far as aspire to acquire nuclear weapons. We will not let this happen.

I have already said that Russia accepted the new geopolitical reality after the dissolution of the USSR. We have been treating all new post-Soviet states with respect and will continue to act this way. We respect and will respect their sovereignty, as proven by the assistance we provided to Kazakhstan when it faced tragic events and a challenge in terms of its statehood and integrity. However, Russia cannot feel safe, develop, and exist while facing a permanent threat from the territory of today's Ukraine.

Let me remind you that in 2000–2005 we used our military to push back against terrorists in the Caucasus and stood up for the integrity of our state. We preserved Russia. In 2014, we supported the people of Crimea and Sevastopol. In 2015, we used our armed forces to create a reliable shield that prevented terrorists from Syria from penetrating Russia. This was a matter of defending ourselves. We had no other choice.
The same is happening today. They did not leave us any other option for defending Russia and our people, other than the one we are forced to use today. In these circumstances, we have to take bold and immediate action. The people's republics of Donbas have asked Russia for help.
In this context, in accordance with Article 51 (Chapter VII) of the UN Charter, with permission of Russia's Federation Council, and in ex*****on of the treaties of friendship and mutual assistance with the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic, ratified by the Federal Assembly on February 22, I made a decision to carry out a special military operation.

The purpose of this operation is to protect people who, for eight years now, have been facing humiliation and genocide perpetrated by the Kyiv regime.
To this end, we will seek to demilitarise and de-N**ify Ukraine, as well as bring to trial those who perpetrated numerous bloody crimes against civilians, including against citizens of the Russian Federation.

It is not our plan to occupy the Ukrainian territory. We do not intend to impose anything on anyone by force. At the same time, we have been hearing an increasing number of statements coming from the West that there is no need any more to abide by the documents setting forth the outcomes of World War II, as signed by the totalitarian Soviet regime. How can we respond to that?
The outcomes of World War II and the sacrifices our people had to make to defeat N**ism are sacred. This does not contradict the high values of human rights and freedoms in the reality that emerged over the post-war decades. This does not mean that nations cannot enjoy the right to self-determination, which is enshrined in Article 1 of the UN Charter.

Let me remind you that the people living in territories which are part of today’s Ukraine were not asked how they want to build their lives when the USSR was created or after World War II. Freedom guides our policy, the freedom to choose independently our future and the future of our children. We believe that all the peoples living in today’s Ukraine, anyone who want to do this, must be able to enjoy this right to make a free choice.

In this context I would like to address the citizens of Ukraine. In 2014, Russia was obliged to protect the people of Crimea and Sevastopol from those who you yourself call "nats". The people of Crimea and Sevastopol made their choice in favour of being with their historical homeland, Russia, and we supported their choice. As I said, we could not act otherwise.

The current events have nothing to do with a desire to infringe on the interests of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. They are connected with defending Russia from those who have taken Ukraine hostage and are trying to use it against our country and our people.
I reiterate: We are acting to defend ourselves from the threats created for us and from a worse peril than what is happening now. I am asking you, however hard this may be, to understand this and to work together with us so as to turn this tragic page as soon as possible and to move forward together, without allowing anyone to interfere in our affairs and our relations but developing them independently, so as to create favourable conditions for overcoming all these problems and to strengthen us from within as a single whole, despite the existence of state borders. I believe in this, in our common future.

I would also like to address the military personnel of the Ukrainian armed forces.
Comrade officers,
Your fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers did not fight the N**i occupiers and did not defend our common motherland to allow today's neo-N**is to seize power in Ukraine. You swore the oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people and not to the junta, the people's adversary which is plundering Ukraine and humiliating the Ukrainian people.

I urge you to refuse to carry out their criminal orders. I urge you to immediately lay down arms and go home. I will explain what this means: the military personnel of the Ukrainian army who do this will be able to freely leave the zone of hostilities and return to their families.
I want to emphasise again that all responsibility for the possible bloodshed will lie fully and wholly with the ruling Ukrainian regime.
I would now like to say something very important for those who may be tempted to interfere in these developments from the outside. No matter who tries to stand in our way or all the more so create threats for our country and our people, they must know that Russia will respond immediately, and the consequences will be such as you have never seen in your entire history. No matter how the events unfold, we are ready. All the necessary decisions in this regard have been taken. I hope that my words will be heard.

Citizens of Russia,

The culture and values, experience and traditions of our ancestors invariably provided a powerful underpinning for the wellbeing and the very existence of entire states and nations, their success and viability. Of course, this directly depends on the ability to quickly adapt to constant change, maintain social cohesion, and readiness to consolidate and summon all the available forces in order to move forward.
We always need to be strong, but this strength can take on different forms. The "empire of lies", which I mentioned in the beginning of my speech, proceeds in its policy primarily from rough, direct force. This is when our saying on being "all brawn and no brains" applies.
We all know that having justice and truth on our side is what makes us truly strong. If this is the case, it would be hard to disagree with the fact that it is our strength and our readiness to fight that are the bedrock of independence and sovereignty and provide the necessary foundation for building a reliable future for your home, your family, and your motherland.

Dear compatriots,

I am certain that devoted soldiers and officers of Russia's armed forces will perform their duty with professionalism and courage. I have no doubt that the government institutions at all levels and specialists will work effectively to guarantee the stability of our economy, financial system and social wellbeing, and the same applies to corporate executives and the entire business community. I hope that all parliamentary parties and civil society take a consolidated, patriotic position.
At the end of the day, the future of Russia is in the hands of its multi-ethnic people, as has always been the case in our history. This means that the decisions that I made will be executed, that we will achieve the goals we have set, and reliably guarantee the security of our motherland.
I believe in your support and the invincible force rooted in the love for our fatherland.

*The speech has not been edited and appears verbatim as released in English by the Kremlin. *
AFP