At a meeting in the Kremlin’s St George Hall, Vladimir Putin presented state decorations to service personnel and defence industry specialists who distinguished themselves in the performance of special missions in the Syrian Arab Republic. More than 700 officers and men of the Aerospace Forces, the Ground Forces and the Navy attended the ceremony, along with representatives of the military-industrial complex.
[Note from the Saker: emphasis added by me, the Saker]
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Comrade officers, friends,
I would like to welcome you – all the service personnel who took part in the operation in Syria.
All of you – pilots, sailors, service personnel of control bodies, of special purpose units, intelligence, communication and procurement, military advisers – acted consistently and with precision.
Words of special gratitude go to the female service personnel. You serve alongside men, with persistence and dignity. Your choice in life brings you our deep respect.
Thank you all for your dedication to our Fatherland.
Russia is proud of you, of its soldiers and officers who protect the interests of their homeland with a great degree professionalism and courage.
Comrade officers,
You remember what the situation was like in September of 2015. Back then, a significant part of the country was seized by terrorist groups, and the situation was getting worse.
In full compliance with international law, at the request of the legitimate government and the country’s president, we made a decision to launch our military operation. From the very start, we were very clear about its goals: support of the Syrian army in its lawful struggle with terrorist groups. Our actions were also timed for the period of active assaults against the terrorists. We stated clearly that we did not intend to get involved in an internal Syrian conflict. Only the Syrians themselves should seek a final solution and decide their country’s future.
The main target of our operation was terrorism. The struggle against international terrorism is a fair and righteous cause. This is a struggle against enemies of civilisation, against those who bring barbarity and violence, trying to renounce the great spiritual, humanitarian values that the world rests on.
I would like to repeat that the main goal of our actions in Syria was to stop the global evil and not to let terrorism spread to Russia. And our country has demonstrated its unquestionable leadership, willpower and responsibility.
Regarding the results we have achieved. Your actions and intense combat effort turned the situation around. We did not let this terrorist tumour grow, destroyed the bandits’ hiding places and munitions depots and blocked oil smuggling routes that brought the terrorists their main funding.
We have done a huge amount of work to support the lawful Syrian authorities – this is what I spoke about when addressing the United Nations on the organisation’s 70th anniversary. We strengthened their armed forces, which are now capable of not only holding back the terrorists, but also of conducting assault operations against them. The Syrian army has gained the strategic initiative and continues clearing its land of terrorists.
The main thing is that we have created conditions for the start of a peaceful process. We have managed to achieve positive, constructive cooperation with the United States of America and a number of other countries, as well as with the responsible political forces within Syria that truly wish to stop the war and find the only possible political solution to the conflict. It was you, Russian soldiers who opened up the road to peace.
Comrade officers,
After the ceasefire agreement was reached between the opposition and government forces, the scope of work for our aviation units was significantly reduced. The number of sorties went down threefold from 60–80 to 20–30 a day.
This made the grouping we had created there excessive in the military sense. The decision to withdraw a significant part of our service personnel and equipment was coordinated with the President of Syria Bashar al-Assad, who was notified of our plans in advance and supported them.
I would like to add that in our joint statement, Russia and the United States stressed that the struggle against terrorist organisations, recognised as such by the UN, will continue. Meanwhile, the government troops in Syria will not conduct any action against the armed units of the Syrian opposition that indicated their commitment to a ceasefire.
At the same time, I would like to stress that any group violating the ceasefire will be taken off the list provided by the United States, with all the consequences that come with it.
In this connection, I would like to specify the tasks our service personnel remaining in the Syrian Republic will be working on.
I will repeat that the primary task is to monitor ceasefire and create conditions for a political internal dialogue in Syria.
Our bases in Syria are at Tartus and Khmeimim, the service personnel there are reliably protected from land, sea and air. All the components of the deployed air defence system, including close range Pantsir-F and long-range S-400 Triumph units will be on regular duty.
I would like to note that we have significantly restored the potential of the Syrian air defence forces as well. All the parties concerned have been made aware of this. We proceed from fundamental international norms – nobody has the right to violate the airspace of a sovereign country, Syria in this case.
We have created together with the American side an efficient mechanism to prevent air incidents, but all our partners have been warned that our air defence systems will be used against any target that we deem to be threatening Russian service personnel. I want to stress – any target.
We will of course continue to provide assistance to the lawful Syrian government. This assistance is comprehensive in nature and includes financial aid, supplies of equipment and arms, assistance in training and building Syrian armed forces, reconnaissance support and assistance to headquarters in planning operations. And finally, direct support, I mean, the use of our space force and strike and fighter aviation. The Russian forces that remain in Syria are enough to ensure this.
We will continue to assist the Syrian army and authorities in their fight against the so-called Islamic State, Jabhat al-Nusra and other terrorist groups that have been declared as such, as I have said, by the UN Security Council. Our uncompromising attitude to terrorism remains unchanged.
What will the balance of forces be like after the reduction of the Russian group? A balance would be ensured.
Moreover, I am certain that with our support and strengthening of the Syrian army, we will shortly see the patriotic forces there achieve success in their struggle against terrorism.
As you may know, fierce fighting is on around Palmyra and on the approaches to the city. I hope this treasure of the world civilisation, or whatever is left of it after the bandits got there, would be returned to the people of Syria and the whole world.
If necessary, of course, Russia will be able to enhance its group in the region in a matter of hours to a size required for a specific situation and to use all the options available.
We would not want to do that. Military escalation is not our choice. Therefore, we still count on the common sense of both sides, on the adherence by both the Syrian authorities and the opposition to a peaceful process.
In this connection, I would like to note the position of President Bashar al-Assad. We see his reserve, his sincere striving for peace, his readiness for compromise and dialogue. The very fact that we withdrew part of our military group there against the backdrop of negotiations on the Syrian settlement that started in Geneva is an important positive signal, and I am certain that all parties to the Syrian conflict will duly appreciate it.
We will work and make every effort in coordination with our partners to help establish peace in Syria, to rid the long-suffering people of Syria of the terrorist threat and help the Syrians restore their country.
Comrade officers,
You have proved that our army and navy are strong, modern and well equipped and our warriors are steadfast, well-trained and hardened, capable of resolving the most complicated large-scale tasks.
In the course of the anti-terrorist operation, you have performed more than 9,000 operational sorties. Mass strikes using high-precision Kalibr cruise missiles with a range of 1,500 km were dealt at terrorist facilities from our naval ships located in two seas – the Caspian and the Mediterranean, both from subsurface ships and a submarine. We are proud of the professional actions of our navy.
Our long-range strategic aviation has also done a good job. Thus, they used new air-based X-101 missiles with a range of about 4,500 km. And finally, over the short period in Syria, as I have said, we deployed a modern and efficient air defence system and developed cooperation between all the forces and resources and organised administrative support for the group. Our military transport aviation and Navy support vessels have done well too.
In other words, all the most important support issues, the organisation of our group in a remote combat area were resolved competently and in a timely manner, which again demonstrated the enhanced quality of Russia’s Armed Forces.
I would also like to thank representatives of the military-industrial complex: workers, engineers and designers. The latest Russian weaponry has passed the tests, and not at shooting ranges but in real combat. This is the best and the most serious test.
This experience will make it possible to introduce necessary changes, to improve the efficiency and reliability of the equipment, to create new generation weaponry, and to improve the Armed Forces and enhance their combat capability. Life itself has shown that they are a reliable guarantee of our country’s security.
We should bear in mind the threats that appear when we do not do things on time; we should remember the lessons of history, including the tragic events of the beginning of World War II and the Great Patriotic War, the price we paid for mistakes in military construction and planning and the shortage in new military equipment. Everything should be done on time, while weakness, neglect and omissions are always dangerous.
The military operation in Syria certainly required certain funds, however the main part of the funding came from the Defence Ministry, their resources. Some 33 billion rubles were earmarked in the Ministry’s 2015 budget for military exercises. We simply retargeted these funds to support our group in Syria, and there is hardly a better way of training and perfecting combat skills than under real combat conditions. In this sense, it is better to use motor operating time and combat stock in combat than at a testing range. You, professionals, know this better than anyone else.
Obviously, additional funds will be required to restock our arsenals, equipment and ammunition, including repairs of the equipment that was used in Syria. I am sure these costs are reasonable and necessary, because this was a chance to test everything in combat, find faults and rectify them. These costs help enhance our country’s defence capability and resolve strategic and current tasks to ensure Russia’s security. We need to do it now, to avoid paying a much higher price later.
That price is high, and I am not talking about money now. Here in this hall are Yelena Peshkova, Valentina Cheremisina, Irina Pozynich and Yulia Zhuravleva – widows of our comrade officers who died fighting terrorists. I know that for their families and friends, the loss of Oleg, Ivan, Alexander and Fedor is irreparable. We all take this as our own loss. That is why I used your husbands’, fathers’ and sons’ first names. I spoke not as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief or President, but as a grateful citizen of Russia who grieves over this loss. We will remember their courage and chivalry; we will remember them as real men and courageous warriors.
Comrade officers,
The large-scale operation in Syria went on for more than 5 months in a complicated region, far from Russia, and you have done your duty with honour by protecting the security of your country and your people at faraway frontiers. The tasks you were set have been generally met, troops are returning to their regular deployment locations, returning home, to Russia.
I would like to note here, for this audience and for the entire country: Russia’s main agenda today is that of peace. It has to do with developing the economy in complicated conditions, with maintaining and improving the wellbeing of our people. However, without ensuring our security, without creating a battle-ready, modern and efficient Army and Navy we would not resolve a single task. Moreover, the very existence of a sovereign and independent Russia would not be possible without it.
It is very symbolic that we are honouring you in the legendary St George hall that holds the history of Russia’s military glory along with the names of its great sons. Everything here is filled with the victorious spirit of Russian warriors. Our officers and men have demonstrated yet again that they are courageous, noble, strong-willed warriors, true to their Fatherland
Thank you for your service. I thank all the participants of the military operation in Syria. Thank you.
Allow me now to move on to the presentation of state decorations. I will not be able to present them all today. I will present them to some of you; however, I assure you that we know how each one of you did your duty.
Thank you.
I’ve always thought this operation had as one of its aspects “Pretty good opportunity for training and weapons testing”, so I’m interested to see Putin confirming that angle.
Why are more not understanding/seeing the pieces of this geopolitical puzzle?
The US was able to capture its central bank to crush crude prices over the past 18 months.
This is a huge story, but nobody is reporting it…
http://www.onlypricesmatter.com/2016/03/17/how-the-fed-abdicated-its-independence-to-white-house-geopolitical-strategy-on-russia-nearly-two-years/
You talk as if you expect the central bank to be some independent, apolitical institution acting for the good of the economy at large. It isn’t and never has been, it’s run by the big financial institutions both de facto and, actually, pretty much de jure. The big players controlling the central bank are the same as the big players with the most clout in the US government. The whole concept of central bank “independence” is largely a defence against the possibility that an elected government might get tempted to take some measures tinged with actual democracy or nationalism rather than obeying the same financial interests running the central banks. But that has not been a problem in the United States for decades, so what would be a surprise is if the two were not working together.
The real story on central banks is that the central banks of other countries and the EU also tend to work for US/transnational financial interests rather than their own people, governments, or even national economies–and the Russian central bank, near as I can make out, remains a typical example.
To all the doom and gloomers who just a few days ago were all reacting negatively to the news of the partial Russian pullout I say, a little more faith people.
This is simple common sense. Russia simply cannot afford to have a Syria taken over by the west’s blood thirsty jihadi mercenaries, end of. To do so would leave Russia’s underbelly wide open to these satanic scum and there is no way that president Putin would sit back and allow that to happen. Now having said that however I do unfortunately believe he will eventually be forced into redeploying his forces in full back to Syria as he is not dealing with sane, rational people. Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first drive insane and the gods have driven the neocons insane, so yes, they are going to keep pushing this thing in whatever way they are able until they make a serious miscalculation and cross a red line. I do sometimes wonder if the recent announcement by the Kurds about establishing a federalized autonomous zone might not have America’s hand behind it.
And for everyone who was under the impression that horse face Kerry was somehow the “peacemaker” for the Syrian conflict they can think again. It turns out Kerry was the one who has been pushing all along for cruise missile strikes against the Assad government and Obomber wouldn’t play ball. An interesting read, the article can be read in the link below :
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44426.htm
This withdrawal is a big set up for the West. If Russia has to go in again they will go in big and the whole world will know who has right on their side. It will not be the West or any of their proxies. As to any argument about Russia being able to mount sufficient forces to match NATO and in sufficient time-I think that question has been answered as well.
RR
A perfect analysis of the situation – the best I’ve read anywhere – and from a highly placed official ;)
Tread softly and carry a big stick. Also, speak nobly, because noble words come naturally to you, and because your nation and the people who served it deserved the very best words you could find.
Ah, President Putin.
Is there a video showing the hall? And the speech?
And the faces of the people there?
I would like to watch that.
Katherine
Yes, Go here:
You can download text in Russian or English, and you can download the video. There are also photos. Enjoy.
Michael
@ mjm
Thank you! The video you linked was most interesting, and the photos are simply beautiful!
Re: Go here:
I don’t see any link.
???
Katherine
Don’t know what happened to the link, but this is the address:
http://en.kremlin.ru/
Michael
LIVE: President Putin awards Russian army personnel for special operations in Syria – ENGLISH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF6uPqdMJ8E
Starts at 21:20 until 26:50 – awarding the Flag of honor to the Space forces. It was interesting to see a ballet with a flag. It folded perfectly.
It starts again at 36:15 with a speech of Putin. At 56 min Putin starts presenting the awards.
Photos are here
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/51526
@ Steve, you made me laugh at loud.
Thanks for the link to the photos. Very nice.
Unfortunately, from the video link I get is a RUPTLY screen that says “Live event will start soon” and a whistling noise.
I have tried to get to the video via various searches but they all seem to end up at the “Live whistlining event.”
Is there a Russian veriosn? I see nothing at the Kremlin site —under videos it is not there.
I’ll try the Russian Kremlin site. Surely it is there.
Katherine
got it via u-tube scrolling forwards ; look at bottom pics until you see our Commander in Chief. Beeping stops . : How honourable – yet how demure , rightfully honouring the honourable valiant
men and women ! I stand straight ! Wept when V.V.P. handed St. George flag of Honour to the
victorious Airspace Forces. My grandfather received the Zar’s St. George Cross II. degree in WWI
for holding a bridgehead near his Bessarabia against the Austrian “Holy” Roman Imperialist robbers and being severely wounded as the last “survivor”. Familiy did such like against the Ottomaniac imperialists and slave traders for 2-3 hundred years to regain the old South Russia > Novorossia<
(malaya Rossia / Little Russia – an endearing term ) until regaining Bessarabia (Moldawia) -officially in 1812 and rewarded with vast lands , when with Hitler's help the Bolsheviks occupied it in 1940
after the Rothschild Versailles "allies" had, after 3 months of independence (1919-20) after the red colour revolution run by Goldman &Sachs, Morgan bank… annexed it to Romania, resulting in the ethnic cleansing of aforementioned grandfather Vassilij Hyermolayewitsch (1938 – one year before the attack on Poland ) and their then allegiance under fascist dictator Antonescu to Hitler's operation Barbarossa . It failed because of the Russian People and their SPIRIT, sorry this is not permitted by the blog puritan moralistic fascist Fuehrer, so s p i r i t ! And Stalin in desperation allowing an Icon of the holy Mother of God, Maria. being flown all over besieged Moskow . SHE (allow this veneration please) and the Siberian shock troops saved Moskau and Russia and the Nazis turned south under great losses.
We shall be back home !!!
Russia shall be ONE again !!!
From the Bering Straight to the river Pruth !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pictures on getty images
Well, nothing plays. Even on the Russian Kremlin website, the video does not play.
E.g., here:
http://www.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/51525/videos
I give up.
Katherine
Unfortunately, from the video link I get is a RUPTLY screen that says “Live event will start soon” and a whistling noise.
This is a correct video. Just move a slider to 21 minutes and 20 seconds when the broadcast begins. The first ceremony is about 5 minutes long. Then start watching again at 36 minutes and 15 seconds for the speech and presenting the awards.
I slid the slider, bearing those numbers in mind, but it still didn’t play. It was likre a still of an exterior shot of the Kremlin.
Also the video at the Kremlin site didn’t play. It just kept returning to the page with the video pane on it.
Katherine
@Katherine
Please try this video by RT. Putin’s speech starts at 16:12.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag2R_tKs2vg
Yay! Thank you, Jana!
THat worked.
And it was very interesting to get a chance to see faces close up.
And what a venue, too.
All in all, very, very impressive. And a very good show in the sense of showing a very serious adversary, and do you really want to mess with these folks? I really can’t imagine what an analogous event in the USA would look like. A media free-for-all, no doubt.
Katherine
“… I would like to note the position of President Bashar al-Assad. We see his reserve, his sincere striving for peace, his readiness for compromise and dialogue. The very fact that we withdrew part of our military group there against the backdrop of negotiations on the Syrian settlement that started in Geneva is an important positive signal, and I am certain that all parties to the Syrian conflict will duly appreciate it.
We will work and make every effort in coordination with our partners to help establish peace in Syria …”
This might be the key part of the speech.
Within the last couple of days I read that Assad made public his intention to fight the military insurrection in Syria to the very end, and that the Russian envoy to the UN Vitaly Churkin, in a TV interview, essentially rebuked that statement. Churkin is a career diplomat who never says something unless instructed.
Against that background, doesn’t the above passage sound pointed at Assad?…
No matter how one spins it, Assad does have a good reason to be sore.
Confusing the West is a strategy in itself so it might have been part of the script. It has worked well so far.
Depending on who exactly Assad was referring to in the ‘fight to the end’ statement it isn’t necessarily incompatible with Russia’s strategy either. Russia isn’t exactly leaving if they can, as stated, resume hostilities within a few hours and Assad might have felt obliged to communicate to his enemies his own resolve just in case they had any doubts.
Moderate and extreme head-choppers take note and also their sponsors east and west.
@ SancturyOne
Your comment reminded me of an Assad speech I read a month or so ago. I think the speech was from some time earlier in the conflict, but one point he made clear was that the real enemy was not the Syrian people that were fighting against the government, but those who instigated the war.
Sorry, no idea where I run onto now to be able to dig up a link.
I heard the same speech earlier from him -and, yes, how true.
It is truly unfortunate that most people will never understand that, so thick is the dam of lies holding back truth.
Quote “those who instigated the war “.
As French ex foreign minister Dumas testified it was in 2009 that the britisgh plotted syrian war and ordered their slave saudi arabia to give money yo sunni mudlim terrrorisrts to wage war on syrian government and people ”
So the englisgh nation will have to be sorted out and that too soon.
SanctuaryOne
I like your post, and also got a little giggle out off the idea of moderate headchoppers. Thanks!
…..and this is why he is one of the most fascinating leaders of modern times. You can have no more erudite analysis than this. This is not a speech full of vacuous soundbites, this is clear headed logic and elegant prose. The contrast between this and the moronic muppets of the west could not be more stark. Putin commands the legal and moral high ground and shows up his adversaries for the dark, evil ratpack they really are. Classic stuff….we live ininteresting times……
Great speech by a Great Statesman. I choked while reading how President Putin mentioned the first names of the ‘fallen’ heroes and he did it gracefully and gallantly in a very personal way . He did not forget to praise every single individual who has contributed to this great achievement.
What a noble leader. My lasting esteem to you Sir !
Yes !
Not long before Saker posted this article, I happened to read Putins speech from 2014 Valdai International Discussion Club at ClubOrlov site. There was a number of points at the beginning to sum up what was thought to be the main points of the speech at the time.
A couple of the points…
“6. Russia will not attempt to reformat the world in her own image, but neither will she allow anyone to reformat her in their image. Russia will not close herself off from the world, but anyone who tries to close her off from the world will be sure to reap a whirlwind.”
“8. Russia does not intend to take an active role in thwarting those who are still attempting to construct their New World Order—until their efforts start to impinge on Russia’s key interests. Russia would prefer to stand by and watch them give themselves as many lumps as their poor heads can take. But those who manage to drag Russia into this process, through disregard for her interests, will be taught the true meaning of pain.”
I think the US camp in Syria just had a little whirlwind appear out of nowhere, destroy their tents so they had nowhere to hide, throw everything in disarray, then disappear again.
EU and Turkey just starting to feel pain?
What a magnificent speech from a visionary leader
” I would like to note here, for this audience and for the entire country: Russia’s main agenda today is that of peace. It has to do with developing the economy in complicated conditions, with maintaining and improving the wellbeing of our people. ”
Would that western leaders read, comprehend and respect the leadership that VVP demonstrates
” Would that western leaders read, comprehend and respect the leadership that VVP demonstrates”
What ‘Western leaders’ will notice first when watching Putin walk, talk and act is that they are not leaders at all, none of them, but just pizza delivery boys for the mafia of the Oligarchs. What a miserable way to waste one’s life!
“with maintaining and improving the wellbeing of our people.”
Especially for the approx 14,000 individuals at the top of Russian society whose increasing wealth, under Putin, has vastly outstripped the other 140 million of “our people”.
If Thatcher were still alive she’d just love this guy.
Yeah, you’re right. Since this Russia bathtub isn’t perfect, it’s obvious that the baby (Putin) needs to be thrown out with the bathwater, because a few of the other bathers have too many of the rubber duckies.
Thatcher? She’d sell the whole tub to non-Russians.
Some baby – he’s been in charge during the whole period of this http://www.gks.ru/bgd/regl/b14_12/IssWWW.exe/stg/d01/07-01.htm
“Coefficient of funds (coefficient differentiation of income)10), in times”
Throw him out? have him shot along with Blair etal on the same podium (and as Thatcher should have been).
Good luck with that one, Anonymous at 9:09 pm.
I don’t think Russia is returning to communism and firing squads any time soon. Someone already put that one over on them. They are over it. You’re not, that’s very clear.
Thanks for providing a live example of a red diaper baby living in the past, jealous of all other babies who have moved out of that past.
Ted, you’d be on the podium along with your chums.
In your homicidal dreams, Anonymous at 2:57 pm.
Your spirit is not very appealing. Vengeance, threats, jealousy. It’s all fear based nonsense. Keep working on it. If the moderator is going to continue to publish your death threats, I really don’t care. It gives people a clinical example to briefly study and be able to better deal with when they run into that not uncommon psychosis again.
By the way, I don’t mind most of the communists here at all. But it seems like I nailed it with the “red diaper baby” hypothesis. And you been seeing blood red ever since. Try a cool shower.
I’m rather surprised the following wasn’t bolded too:
“Russia’s main agenda today is that of peace. It has to do with developing the economy in complicated conditions, with maintaining and improving the wellbeing of our people. However, without ensuring our security, without creating a battle-ready, modern and efficient Army and Navy we would not resolve a single task. Moreover, the very existence of a sovereign and independent Russia would not be possible without it.”
That stands in very sharp contrast to the Vision 2020 agenda of the Outlaw US Empire–Full Spectrum Domination of planet and its people. So again two vastly different ideologies separate the planet’s people: Those who want Peace versus those who want to continue Waging War. This is how the current hybrid World War ought to be framed–Peace and Freedom versus war and Slavery–those allied with the SCO, BRICS, CSTO, and Eurasian Economic Union versus the Outlaw US Empire and its vassals: Multipolarity and Rule of Law versus Unipolarity and Rule of Force. I see the distinction pretty sharply.
In the entire speech great speech it was these words that I most valued:
“That price is high, and I am not talking about money now. Here in this hall are Yelena Peshkova, Valentina Cheremisina, Irina Pozynich and Yulia Zhuravleva – widows of our comrade officers who died fighting terrorists. I know that for their families and friends, the loss of Oleg, Ivan, Alexander and Fedor is irreparable. We all take this as our own loss. That is why I used your husbands’, fathers’ and sons’ first names. I spoke not as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief or President, but as a grateful citizen of Russia who grieves over this loss. We will remember their courage and chivalry; we will remember them as real men and courageous warriors.”
Very appropriate words from a great leader.
Agree, my faves too.
Simply . . . humane, and grave.
BTW, my Moscow contact told me of how VVP honored his aged mother every year on her birthday (with personal card from the Kremlin and other stuff), who had served in the Red Army during the Great Patriotic War.
This is the part of the speech I would most like to see on video.
If I could find a working link.
Katherine
“with personal card from the Kremlin”
How is that “personal” – it sounds like one of those creepy letters the Queen sends to “her subjects” if/when they reach 100.
I had tears at the open and generous appreciation of President Putin for what his Russian soldiers accomplished. He reacts to them as his men, he, Russia’s global representative, and hardworking leader, his hand on every pulse. Then I was reminded how the United States addressed it’s soldiers during the illegal Iraq war, started with a set of Governments lies.How the caskets of dead US soldiers, each covered with a flag, were never to be either counted nor photographed. How the UK singly mourned each of their soldiers died, the US never did. The difference in how the soldiers are treated as things, versus as each single, vital humans, reverberates down centuries in the identity and validity (or lack of it) of that state.
Today RT.com news showed videos of the child soldiers who were trained to kill by ISIS, killing prisoners, thereby replacing the millions of the be-headers the Russian/Kurdish/Iranian forces killed.
The same day Brussels decided to give in to all ISIS owned Turkey extortion demands, giving up the identity of all Europe as it never mattered anyway. Soon the enormous second wave of desperate carefully mismanaged refugees will stream though Europe…..trapping Europe finally wth the third wave. An Europe unable to escape the be-headers is being set up by Brussels itself.
Great comments Outlaw, Bob, Suzanne. Can you imagine the Imperial Great Leader (/sarc) making a statement towards soldiers that would seem a) heartfelt b) real c) without teleprompters to swing one’s head from side to side? Every word about the military over here comes across as cronyism or totally phony. Here we throw the soldiers away, or give them meaningless, heartless thank unless they are Officer Class, who are apparently of another race entirely. Great stuff, thanks for the translation Herr Saker.
And we refer to our soldiers as ‘boots on the ground,’ I swear sometimes I’m embarrassed and ashamed. But still and all, U.S.A.!! U.S.A.! LOL
Ms. de Kuyper, you’ve reminded me of the publications some years ago, when we learned US soldiers’ bodies from whichever war (?) weren’t inside those flag-draped coffins, their families attended fake funerals, and the remains had been dumped into landfills in whichever east coast state was on the menu at the time. Please pardon me for being a bit too vague; but it’s been a very long war, overloaded with lies, and you’ve reminded me of one more sick detail. Thank you.
or others loaded with heroin.
RR
I am continually in awe of this man,Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. He is not an ordinary politician, he is without any doubt, a person whose ideas, thoughts and actions come from a prescient mind that may in fact be influenced by whispers of divine inspiration.
President Putin is a multifaceted governmental leader, strategist, peacemaker and statesman whose decisions remind me of a wise tribal father who guides his people safely across the great river of the unknown to reach prosperous lands of economic opportunity. He communicates an inner strength and confidence that has no rival in the many interconnected nations of our world.
In Russia’s long history, Peter the Great enacted many positive reforms to push the country towards modernization (and some negative decisions with respect to the Russian Orthodox Church). If Putin continues to perform and achieve measurable results with respect to the national economy and international commerce, he should be accorded the title of, “Vladimir the Resolute” and acknowledged as one of the great men of the 21st century.
He is a modern day Bismarck. Yet there remains much to be ”done”.
When a cup of coffee cost $10,000 consider it done.
“divine inspiration”
Good grief, the fan club is on overtime today.
The great German Poet Friedrich Hebbel, (Birthday today) wrote this thought in his diary: “as little as nature can produce apples and grapes out of the raw earth, but before has to grow trees etc., as little the people as people can produce great accomplishments but only great individuals. Thus, you gentlemen, levelists,
respect for kings, prophets, poets” … and sometimes presidents, I might add.
To look at Putins birth-chart and the present lights resonating with it is quite telling. E.g. Mars connected with Venus on his Moon: the classical union of the
penetrator with the defender in resonance with the receiver.
http://astromundanediary.blogspot.de/2016/03/its-eurasian-way-to-winn-by-retreat.html
There are those who compare the Syrian Campaign, very approximately, to the Red Victory against the Fascists at Stalingrad.
But unlike Stalingrad, which, even though it signaled the turning of the war, was followed by years of bitter fighting, the Russian draw-down signals an overture to the un-named state actor that motivated the Syrian proxy-war. An overture inviting peace and law.
Let us hope that state actor takes the deal…
Pax
One can sense his love and pride for Mother Russia not only in this speech but all of them – no lies, no innuendoes, no platitudes. It tugs at the heart reading the names of the fallen and their bereaved. The operation in Syria encompassed diplomacy and S.V. Lavrov’s team also did a brilliant job.
Will the Western governments learn anything? Most certainly not. I just cannot wrap my head around the fact that the western so-called leaders are so dim. Or, are they truly that stupid? Neocons are evil (the devil wouldn’t want them in his domaine as they would be competition) and there is no other word to describe them, but the rest??????
“Or, are they really that stupid ?”.
Yes they are, they are intellectual midgets. They are stupid in a very specific way. After the collapse of the Soviet Union they really believed they had “won” a world war and there was no longer anyone to stop them. They have gotten so used over the last two decades to attacking and destroying defenceless countries they have started believing their own propaganda of “exceptionality” and are incredibly arrogant and full of hubris.
Dont forget one fact, western “leaders” are nothing but “fronts” for the real powers that pull the strings, these evil morons are nothing but glorified PR men who will be hard pushed to run a medium sized company by themselves without their army of “advisers” and “analysts”, in short they are nothing but plain thugs in suits, not one statesman amongst the whole lot. I do not find it surprising that president Putin and his team are able to run rings around the lot of them.
It is very comforting to read that Russia is not backing down At All against global terrorism . Fomented in large part from the West and her so-called allies.
Words of true Statesman.
Watched it live… the pride was palpable and yet so humble.
Amazing times we live in.
We did not let this terrorist tumour grow, destroyed the bandits’ hiding places and munitions depots and blocked oil smuggling routes that brought the terrorists their main funding….
The main thing is that we have created conditions for the start of a peaceful process. We have managed to achieve positive, constructive cooperation with the United States of America and a number of other countries……
“Thank you all for your dedication to our Fatherland.”
Which term is most commonly used by Russians when referring to Russia, is it “Motherland” or “Fatherland”?
I had thought that it would be Motherland.
In russian language there is a word of its own: rodina
In Russian he has probably used the word “Отечество” (haven’t read the Russian version of the speech), which is has the same root as “Отец”, meaning ‘father’, thus ‘Fatherland’ translation. However, there’s also an idiom “Россия-матушка” or ‘Mother Russia’, so either Fatherland or Motherland are acceptable, depending, of course, on the word choice of the speaker.
Thank you both.
Well that clears up all the questions I had about this Putin move. Its also refreshing to see a leader who treats his people like adults and actually explains his actions to them. This stands in stark contrast to Western leaders who just shower their people with platitudes while refusing to explain the simplest decisions and actions.
@denfer, Uncle Bob 1, SuzanneMajo De Kuyper, PokeTheTruth, Alexandra
Thanks for putting some of my thoughts into words. I get some sand or something in my eye when I try to.
Beautiful
Great speech as usual. Long live to Mr. Putin, the real statesman and president of Russia. I’m proud to be a slav.
thanks for publishing speech
“Russian-American agreement on the coordination of efforts in combat operations on the territory of the Syrian republic prevent the risk of full-scale war, said the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill Thursday at a meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in the St. Daniel monastery. “We are pleased that began progress between the United States and the Russian Federation on the Syrian settlement. I consider it very important to reach an agreement on coordination between the coalition led by the United States and Russia. I believe that it has removed the danger of a major war, which could occur simply from a different kind incidents “- the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church said. Nearly 3,5 thousand Russians left the country to take part in the hostilities on the side of LIH, said deputy head of the main anti-extremism management MIA of Russia Vladimir Makarov:” according to our operational data, to participate in the fighting on areas of activity LIH, ie, Iraq, Syria and other Middle East countries drove 3 thousand. 417 Russians. Naturally, we will institute criminal proceedings, some of them have already served time, who returned against them. Every person is is registered ” .
http://www.anna-news.info/node/55063
a sign of the degenerate standards of the EU
“This statement was made head of the State Duma Security Committee Irina Spring. She offered to appeal to the parliaments of the UN member and require strict compliance with EU decisions of the Nuremberg Tribunal.
“Dear colleagues, we offer to prepare Russian parliamentary appeal to all national parliaments of the countries of the United Nations, the European Union to require strict compliance with decisions of the Nuremberg Tribunal and its own framework decision”, – said the deputy, speaking on desyatiminutke in the State Duma.
This statement was her reaction to the march of freedom of the Latvian legionaries Waffen-SS in Riga: “Freedom, which gave the world the Soviet soldier in the bloody fight against fascism, now crushed and turned to the glorification of Nazi criminals,” – said the MP in a statement.
The Nuremberg Tribunal gave a clear assessment of the activities of the participants Waffen-SS: «Organization of the SS was even more active participant in the commission of war crimes against peace and humanity. Under the pretext of fighting guerrillas SS unit exterminated the Jews “- read a Spring laying open of materials Tribunal.
According to the parliamentarian, “In accordance with Article 26 of the Statute of the International Tribunal, a decision that made Nuremberg – this solution at all times, this decision can not be reviewed and challenged Consequently, any action aimed at the revision of this decision, and”. ” to justify acts of Nazi criminals by themselves constitute a crime. ”
Nuremberg Trials – international trial of former leaders of Nazi Germany. Held from 20 November 1945 to 1 October 1946 in the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg in Germany.”
http://www.anna-news.info/node/55064
So can we do the flag waving officially?
Very impressive gathering.
The atmosphere in this magnificent white hall is oozing the spirit of united purpose and determination, in sync with the words and thoughts expressed by Vladimir Putin. He mentions the following right at the end of his speech:
It is very symbolic that we are honouring you in the legendary St George hall that holds the history of Russia’s military glory along with the names of its great sons.
During much of the speech the camera captures part of the flag displaying a rider on a white horse slaying a black dragon.
Neither a coincidence nor merely symbolic.
http://www.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/51526
…
“magnificent white hall is oozing the spirit of united purpose and determination”
Yeah, great for some, but http://www.themoscowtimes.com/columns/1328/article/moscows-muslim-slums-now-breeding-grounds-for-despair/400345.html
Direct quoted first two paragraphs of linked article removed — mod-hs
The entire planet Earth is a breeding ground for despair thanks to the efforts of international banksters, corporate fascists and puppeteered politicians.
Of course, the international media are a vital asset in all this.
The ‘independent’ Moscow Times newspaper you’ve linked to happens to be founded by Derk Sauer from the Netherlands in 1992. In the aftermath of the soviet union decline he abandoned his little glossy/gossip empire in the Netherlands and moved to Russia where he set out to import some great ‘western’ values to Russia in the shape of glossies like Cosmopolitan and Playboy magazine.
He made and still is making a fortune in Russia, nonetheless, whenever he visits the Netherlands he eagerly appears as a ‘specialist’ in Dutch media spouting anti-Russian propaganda.
Maybe you ought to write a letter to the editor and ask Derk Sauer whether he is willing to relieve the suffering of the poor that live on his doorstep?
…
“Maybe you ought to write a letter to the editor and ask Derk Sauer whether he is willing to relieve the suffering of the poor that live on his doorstep?”
What about one to Putin – any better chance with that?
Self-righteously linking to a stale article from 2010 published on a 5th column website may temporarily soothe your conscience, it wont aid the poor.
“it wont aid the poor”
Neither will your reply.
The real question you made zero attempt to address remains unanswered – will Putin’s Maggie Thatcher”esque” admin aid the poor?
Since you won’t answer (being one of the fan boy’s) I will – no he/they won’t.
On one measure (wealth disparity) “Russia” is the most corrupt state on earth with Putin (face value at least) right at the top.
The rider is Saint George, a patron saint of Russia, depicted as slaying the dragon.
“I would also like to thank representatives of the military-industrial complex: workers, engineers and designers. The latest Russian weaponry has passed the tests, and not at shooting ranges but in real combat. This is the best and the most serious test.”
He should have added “and now we are open for business! Place your orders now!”
Although I consider myself decidedly in the corner with Putin, Lavrov, and all peoples suffering the tyranny of the curent state of the world affairs, and particularly those suffering the horrible misfortune of destruction and its adjunct trajedies, I still feel that while there could be a political solution, that chances for that are very slim.
While I think the American culture is straining under its immaturity and continues a slow decay, nevertheless, older cultures, whether by choice, or the sheer impetus of world affairs, and the neccessity of oil to drive economies, is accelerating us all towards disaster, whether of total war of “all against all,” or the steady destruction of the environment that sustains us.
Regardless of the debate that rages around “global warming,” and whatever results from it, still it’s difficult to refute the disappearing ice caps, and the canaries dieing out world wide. And yet many or most of us commenting here, still participate whole heartedly in the onslaught, whether we drive hybrid automobiles or dispose of our plastics properly, whether out of convenience or neccessity. And while we rebel, our hypocricies are all plugged into the electrical systems powered by nuclear or some other form of unhealthy energy overuse. Nothing to avert that is being done by China or Russia, anymore than the USA. Pipelines continue to be built, nuclear power plants still melt down, and oil spills are destroying entire eco systems while we continue on in our affairs.
Of course, all of this could be averted in a short period of time if there existed any kind of will to do so. But from tptb, to us plebesites, really, “nothing can be done.” Blame it on god I suppose for having invented us all in our diversities, or nature, one or the other. We show no inclination to change business models which might affect our pocket books, or lifestyle habits which might be less comfortable. No one really knows, because no one seems to know what to do about it.
Regarding the process of war, all the major participants on all sides are just as astute in their waging of it, well maybe less so Breedlove and his ilk, because all parties have millenia of history to study, as well as better perfected arts related to conflict by countless philosophers, artists, etc. just as we have the internet to help us better comprehend our predicament and relative helplessness, and actually see before us “zeitgeist,” rather than comprehend it by inductive reason alone.
So, while I see Putin as wisely seeking peace, still, I hate to be a Cassandra and predict that while it advances slowly, human nature in this economic and environmental predicament, will at some point find it’s all out war. The way out grows smaller and smaller with each hour. I know we are all doing our best to avoid it.
Draw-down was, evidently, followed by a large incursion of bandits across from Turk to Syria – with a delay of maybe 12 hours. Most are now obliterated. Somebody, evidently, did not believe Comrade President! Now they know – he’s doesn’t kid around… He means what he says.
More evidence of American state sponsored terrorism to ISIL, which the vast majority of people of the United Snakes will no doubt try to lie and deny away:
Army General: Iran Has Evidence of Foreign Military Aid to ISIL
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941226000792
And Russia still wants to co-operate with these American state terrorists?
No duplicity, no hidden agendas, no salestalk.
What a dream to have one day in our countries an average mass of citizens like those russians and a leader like this!
All ar unreplaceble products of history, culture and survival-connected hardships all the way thru.
“an average mass of citizens like those russians”
The average of a Russian is exactly the same as the average of a Kalahari bushman etc.
The “common” man has practically zero impact on the policy of the “leaders” (aka the elite) who generally operate an agenda that favours their own interest.
There is zero reason to imagine why the Russian “leaders” are any different (better/worse) than any other leaders.
Leaders are generally psychopathic.
Ambassador M.K. Bhadrakumar’s analysis of Iranian perspective of the Russian pullout from Syria: http://atimes.com/2016/03/iran-cool-on-russian-pullout-from-syria/
An interesting excerpt:
“… Tehran understands perfectly well that Putin is in some hurry to reach a settlement in Syria that projects Russia as a responsible player on the world stage and burnishes its credentials for partnership with Europe and the US. The bottom line for Putin will be the removal of western sanctions against Russia as quickly as possible. Moscow probably anticipates a much less accommodative attitude from the next US president.
Now, it remains to be seen how far Iran will accept any emergent Russian-American tandem to impose any solution on Syria. …”
Putin is the President of Russia with Divine approval and appointment.He is the right man for Russia and came at the right time in Russian history.It is not a coincidence or a political plot that took him to power.He,at that time,never dreamed to be the President of Russia but the Heavenly Powers did it,by influencing other peoples around Yeltsin.Even the date is interesting : 1999 December 31,on New Year’s eve.Remember the face of Boris Yeltsin when he appointed him as his successor,he was full of hope and radiating of joy as if he said “her is my New Year gift for you,Russia”That one also was a big surprise back then,and the surprises are continuing.Putin never shouts at someone,he is gentle with everybody,he is calm and restrained.He never speaks from above the horse,instead he descends to his counterpart.And yes,he speaks directly choosing the right words for everyone by case.Although he is the President of a huge country and the Supreme Commander of Russian Armed Forces,he feels himself as a simple man because he knows,there is God.
“with Divine approval and appointment”
What happened to all the quality commenters on this blog – are they out on a wave sometimeplace with blue?
Yes, I agree. We are witnessing Russian history unfolding before our eyes.The ascension of a perceptive and prudent leader has emerged and taken the reigns of power to administer balanced justice for all his countrymen.
Many bloggers chide our admiration for President Putin and claim our praise for him is too sycophantic. We are sarcastically referred to as “fan boys” so to speak but that is not a fair assessment. We can see and read every week how carefully he reflects upon each action to not only realize the full spectrum of positive result but also analyzes what his inner council of military and economic advisers offer to him and the weight it carries in his final decision on various matters of State and international dialogue.
How many other presidents of nations past can you recall from the last century who have demonstrated such an eloquence and sincerity in his speech when he addresses a particular public? Not too many that I can recall.
Putin has made mistakes of course; he’s human. But clearly he demonstrates the throttle of control remains firmly in his grasp. He seeks not grandeur and pomposity, only the respect for Russia and her people and its participation in the larger demographic of world affairs. That is the mark of a great man.
Vladimir is a real noble man! And a great leader!
Honor to him!!
Why am I not a Russian ;-)
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Superb! Absolutely superb!
Well reasoned and comments that present a interesting views are welcome here. Vitrolic and hateful rants are not. Comment removed by mod-hs.
Russia’s pre-emptive Stalingrad: Syria.
I love this publication and what President Putin has said in this piece, I really hope the best for Russia and all the Balkan and Slavic countries, I suggest though that you rid yourselves of Zionist influence and keep helping each other it seems only a few countries in the region want to side with Russia, Poland has betrayed Russia after Russia saved them from the Nazis and Ukraine, Estonia Latvia but you are all brothers you should not go to the west it will fall and whoever sides with the west will fall with it, the EU is a failure and will never go forward again and neither will the USA. All the Slavic and Balkan natons should form a coalition and protect the North.