Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden are set to give duelling speeches on Tuesday, with the Russian president expected to set out his aims for the second year of the invasion of Ukraine – a day after his US counterpart made a surprise visit to Kyiv.
The Russian despot will speak in Moscow at 9am GMT, according to the Kremlin, delivering a state-of-the-nation address – a major speech that will be largely devoted to the conflict which will reach the one-year mark on Friday, February 24.
In previous addresses, Putin has railed against NATO’s perceived threat to Russia, drawn on his country’s history to buttress his rationale for launching the invasion, and his decision to stick with it in the face of unexpected Ukrainian resistance.
Biden will also make a speech a few hours later in Poland, which promises to offer a starkly differing take on Russia’s invasion. He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday – pledging fresh arms deliveries and ‘unwavering’ support.
With Putin and Biden…
