President Putin: Russia is fighting for the freedom of the whole world

"It is our country that more than once in history has blocked the path of those who today claim world domination, prevented their monopoly. We are now fighting for the freedom not only of Russia, but of the entire world," President Putin said in an online speech to the Russian People's Assembly of the World.

According to Mr. Putin, a lasting world order is impossible without a strong and sovereign Russia, which is now taking the lead in shaping a more equitable world order.

President Putin stressed that Russia will defend its sovereignty to protect basic values, calling for "making large families" the domestic norm and calling Moscow's current struggle for its own security and well-being.

Referring to the West, President Putin said that it is "a place of anti-Russian sentiment", and that forms of racism and neo-fascism have become official ideologies. The Russian leader affirmed that Moscow will not allow anyone to divide their country, and will respond appropriately to "interference and provocation from outside, aimed at causing conflicts between ethnic groups".

Regarding the conflict between ethnic groups in the post-Soviet space, President Putin said that it was the price to pay for miscalculations. According to him, it was also the mistakes in the division "of the great Russian nation, three fraternal peoples - Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians".

"These are wounds that will take a long time to heal. We will never forget these mistakes" - President Putin emphasized./.