What did Putin say at the Annexation Ceremony?

Russian State President Vladimir Putin made important statements at the annexation ceremony regarding the U.S., and in general, the West’s thoughts about Russia. In the speech translated into Turkish for newspapers and television, Putin said, “The West tried to take this country from us through every means possible. We will never give in to the West.” Claiming that the U.S. has no objective other than taking all countries’ freedom, Putin made the following striking statement: “They want us to be slaves to them like a colony. Our well-being is a threat to them. We want Russia to develop and flourish. I repeat once again, their efforts to take over the world were negated many times through the Russian people’s efforts.” 

Putin’s choice of the term colony to identify the U.S. policy on Russia gives an idea about how to perceive the international tensions today. Colonialism was a system aimed at directly taking over large pieces of land. As can be remembered, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned the return of geopolitics at the Military Academy Graduation Ceremony, and clearly stated his perception of present-day U.S. and Western aggression. These definitions should be taken seriously. 

Putin continued to use the word colonialism in his speech. But when this term is interpreted as exploitation, the real matter of emphasis becomes vague. Because "exploitation” refers to the unlawful use of resources and labor. Hence, it reflects a class view. Yet today, quite staggering developments such as the change of maps are in question. He further adds, “Just as they deny the crimes in their own history, they inflict these crimes on others. They deny how they eliminated Native Americans, as well as their inhumane operations in China. We always opposed these. Our country has always stood upright in opposition of colonialism. The situation you see today exists because we did not allow our country to become a colony.” It is very clear that the subject is not limited to human labor and resources. Oppositions such as Russia and the West, Russia and the U.S. are very much beyond class-based interpretations. Territorial changes are emphasized. The Native American and China examples show that the reference is made to colonialist hegemony. 

According to the translated texts, Putin mentions both the West and directly the U.S. Additionally, in reference to the explosions on the pipeline, he uses the term Anglo-Saxons.    It seems he wants to avoid any ambiguity when pointing to the perpetrator in terms of Russia. However, this speech has further crystallized the line drawn between the Western world and Russia. The following statement is truly striking: “Many interventions were planned against Russia. The West managed to attack us at the end of the 20th century. They called us ally, partner, but they always tried to treat us like a colony.” 

These quotes have been taken from various sources, thus the difference in translation is immediately apparent. Some translators chose to use the word colony: “The West wants to see us as a colony, as a crowd composed of soulless slaves. Our future, our development is a threat for them.” The following is another thought-provoking statement: “The West is advocating a justice that benefits itself. The West poses a threat to all borders today. They are the ones deciding where these borders will be.”  

We may find Russia's approach to the Ukraine War wrong. Thus, Türkiye declared at every opportunity that it objects to any steps that may signify expansionism, including those regarding Crimea. Additionally, Türkiye openly stated that it does not accept the annexation decision regarding the areas taken from Ukraine either. However, certain groups in Türkiye are used to seeing events from the perspective of Western capitals. They follow the tensions and conflicts that impact the whole world through the U.S. and European countries. Hence, they act ideologically when identifying the process. Yet, while the U.S. and European countries are issuing invasion and occupation plans to turn the whole world into colonies all over again, they are also focusing on ideological propaganda like in the 19th century. An imperial perception is necessary in order to strongly express the belief that there is a democracy and totalitarian regime struggle between countries like the U.S., the U.K., France, and others.