Jan 1, 2015:
Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual New Year speech.
In the speech, Putin lauded the annexation of Crimea, encouraged Russian nationalism, and sent a message to President Obama about "the responsibility that Russia and the United States bear for maintaining peace and international stability".
Putin sends Obama message in New Year's speech | CBS News
In New Year’s address, Putin thanks Russians for sticking out tough times | The Washington Post
In New Year’s address, Putin thanks Russians for sticking out tough times | The Huffington Post
Commentary:
I don't claim to fully understand Russia's world view, but given the fact that Russia annexed Crimea (a formerly sovereign peninsula) and Russia's support for pro-Russians in Ukraine (a sovereign country), I have a hard time understanding Putin's comment about the responsibility of "maintaining peace and international stability". It seems to me that Russia's annexation of Crimea and support of pro-Russians in Ukraine has done just the opposite of what Putin said.
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