He criticized what he called the "political and military expansion" of NATO, and accused the organization of surrounding Russia with military bases and weapons. He also accused the United States of being hypocritical in its criticism of Russia, pointing out that the US has not yet ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
Putin's speech comes amid growing tension between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides accusing the other of escalating the conflict. The conflict began in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine and has since escalated into a full-scale war.
In his speech, Putin also addressed the issue of nuclear arms treaties, stating that Russia is ready to negotiate with the United States on extending the New START treaty, which is set to expire in 2026. However, he also made it clear that Russia would not agree to any new treaty that would limit its ability to defend itself.
The speech is likely to exacerbate tensions between Russia and the West, which have already been strained by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Russia's military buildup near the Ukrainian border. It remains to be seen how the international community will respond to Putin's speech and whether it will lead to further escalation of the conflict.