Putin accuses NATO of provoking Russia into crossing its 'red lines'

'Russian troops are holding a strategic initiative across the entire front lines', according to the Russian president.

Transcript

00:00Russian President Vladimir Putin accused NATO nations of pushing Russia into its red lines.

00:08In his annual meeting with defence officials, the Russian President implied the figurative

00:13point of no return may be reached by escalating the conflict in Ukraine.

00:19The US continues to build up an illegitimate ruling regime in Kyiv with weapons and money.

00:26They send mercenaries and military advisers and thereby facilitate the further escalation

00:32of the conflict.

00:33They bring us to the red line through which we can no longer retreat.

00:37We begin to respond and immediately frighten our population, then still in ancient times

00:42Soviet, now Russian threat.

00:45Putin also voiced his concerns over the developments made by the United States regarding medium

00:51and shorter range missiles.

00:53He added that if the US were to cross this line, Moscow would lift its voluntary restrictions.

01:00The Russian President also applauded Russian forces for capturing 189 settlements this

01:06past year.