In his annual speech on December 19, 2024, Putin exposed the contradictions of the West, which, under the guise of promoting “democracy” and “freedom,” is in reality pursuing a strategy of global domination and exploitation.
In his annual speech on December 19, 2024, Putin exposed the contradictions of the West, which, under the guise of promoting “democracy” and “freedom,” is in reality pursuing a strategy of global domination and exploitation. The United States and its allies view Russia as a competitor to be contained, deploying economic sanctions, military threats, and media campaigns to try to destabilize it. However, Russia remains resolute and unwavering in defending its values and interests, firmly committed to preserving its sovereignty in the face of external pressure. In this sense, this speech highlighted the imperialist arrogance of the West and underlined Russia’s determination not to yield to foreign influences, thus consolidating its position on the international stage.
Indeed, faced with a changing world, marked by political, economic and technological upheavals, Putin speaks of the need to adapt in order to maintain a strategic position on the international scene. By emphasizing the importance of defending the interests of Russia and its allies, particularly in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as in the Donbass and Novorussia regions , he sends a clear message to global players regarding respect for sovereignty.
As part of his communication act (his combat sports training), Putin challenges Western specialists by claiming that they can neutralize Oreshnik . He proposes a bold deal: select a city, such as Kiev, deploy their entire defense systems there, and he, in turn, will launch a missile to evaluate its effectiveness. This message, so amusing – it seems – causes deep unease in Western presidencies.
Geopolitical context
As the West is caught in its own trap in Ukraine and Syria, Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, held his annual “Direct Line” session on December 19, 2024, a masterful display of strategic communication combining citizen interaction and a press conference. During the event, he emphasized Russia’s sovereign strengthening, showcasing a military at the forefront of global capabilities. He criticized Western sanctions as unfair competition, while reaffirming Russia’s openness to negotiations with a legitimate Ukrainian leadership. Putin also condemned violations of religious rights in Ukraine and expressed his ambition to increase Russia’s share of the global liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market, including with China and BRICS/BRICS+. Citing Russia’s success in Syria, he maintained a firm stance on territorial issues. He also called on the international community to join the commemorations of the Victory over Nazism in Moscow, paying tribute to the historic sacrifice of the Russian people.
The era of multipolarity: how Russia is adapting to the new global geopolitics
The December 19 grand speech profoundly transformed Russia’s perception of the Western world. By highlighting an era of global transformation, Putin delivered a clear warning to the once dominant Western nations, now facing a new reality where their hegemony is eroding. Emerging countries such as China, India and Russia of the BRICS Alliance are now asserting themselves on the international stage, rejecting Western supremacy. Criticizing Western interventionism and exploitation, Putin advocated a Russian foreign policy based on respect for sovereignty, non-interference and international cooperation. This approach, considered more equitable and respectful of the rights and interests of all, opposes that of the West and opens the way to a new global balance. This is multipolarism.
Promoting and protecting the national interests of Russia and its strategic partners
Combined with the annual press conference, the annual “Hotline” call session for Russian citizens and journalists on December 19, 2024 represents a strategic turning point in Russia’s foreign policy. Against the backdrop of China’s rise and the decline of Western hegemony, Putin clearly expressed Russia’s unwavering commitment to defend its national interests and those of its strategic partners. The speech is positioned as a forceful response to the imperialist dynamics of the West, which have long influenced the dynamics of global governance. By denouncing Western attempts to impose its supremacy through force and exploitation, Russia, under Putin’s leadership, is firmly committed to establishing a new world order based on respect for sovereignty and equality among nations. Sharply criticizing Western foreign policies, accused of generating chaos and destruction, notably through disastrous military interventions, Putin calls for concerted resistance against this hegemony, thus strengthening Russia’s role as a pillar of this new global balance.
The Russian nation facing the challenges of globalization: a call for unity and resilience
Widely followed by international media, the December 19 speech stressed the importance of national unity in addressing Russia’s current challenges, calling for a collective mobilization of citizens to defend national interests in the face of Western pressure. According to Putin, Western attempts to exploit internal divisions and promote separatist movements pose a direct threat to Russian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Criticizing the West’s desire to impose its values without regard for Russian history and culture, Putin called such actions neocolonialism. In response, Russia advocates an approach that respects cultural diversity and national sovereignty, while remaining open to dialogue and international cooperation. This vision is perceived – not by the Western minority but by the global majority – as more equitable and respectful of the rights and interests of each nation.
From the above, we can deduce that the speech of December 19, 2024 sounds like a death knell for the West, whose imperial hegemony is collapsing under the weight of its own contradictions. Russia, for its part, stands as a bastion of resistance against Western domination, defending its interests and values in the face of the imperialist threat.
It can be said that Putin’s annual address on the Russian state on December 19, 2024 is assimilable to an inaugural lesson in the unravelling of the Empire of Lies, the West.
Mohamed Lamine KABA, Expert in geopolitics of governance and regional integration, Institute of Governance, Human and Social Sciences, Pan-African University
