What did Putin say?
President Putin has given a rare TV address to the nation
He said reservists would now be called up to serve in Ukraine - starting today
He accused the West of engaging in nuclear blackmail
against Russia
Putin said Russia has "lots of
weapons to reply" and that he was not bluffing
He said again he was defending "our people" in the Donbas
After explaining the mobilisation, Putin issued a threat.
“If
the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, to defend
Russia and our people, we will use all means we have. This is not a
bluff.
"The
territorial integrity of our motherland, our independence and freedom
will be secured, I repeat, with all the means we have.
"Those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the prevailing winds can turn in their direction.”
President
Putin and his Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, in their appearances on
Russian TV this morning, were very keen to stress that this mobilisation
is strictly partial.
Only reservists will be called up, Putin said.
“Under
no circumstances“ will students or conscripts be asked to serve,
stressed Shoigu. Nonetheless, this announcement will make Russians very
nervous.
The
shock news that mobilisation will begin immediately, today, means that
many Russians, especially young professionals, will be considering
leaving the country as soon as possible.
The
Russian stock market took a sharp downturn at the news, and there are
reports of increases in sales of plane tickets in order to leave the
country.
