On Tuesday, December 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in the annual meeting of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights — a session traditionally held on the eve of International Human Rights Day, marked on December 10.

During the discussion, Putin reiterated that Russia is seeking to bring an end to the conflict that, as he framed it, began after a government coup in Ukraine. He stressed that, in Moscow’s view, the country had been compelled to resort to military means. The president maintained that Russia intends to see the campaign through and achieve all objectives set for the special military operation.

Putin also highlighted what he described as the historical belonging of Donbass to Russia. He emphasized that, in his interpretation, this territory has always been part of the Russian state’s historical formation.

The meeting revisited the events of February 24, 2022, when Putin announced the start of the special military operation. In his address to the nation that day, he outlined its stated goals: protecting people who, according to him, had endured eight years of mistreatment and persecution by the authorities of the Kiev regime. Additional aims included the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, as well as holding accountable those whom Russia accuses of crimes against civilians, including Russian citizens.