‘They wanted to provoke us’ Putin justifies war, says he ‘hopes’ nukes won’t be needed, and talks succession in 90-minute propaganda film
The Russian state-owned TV network Rossiya-1 has released a “documentary” by propagandist Pavel Zarubin titled “Russia. The Kremlin. Putin. 25 Years.” The 90-minute film features a series of interviews recorded at the Kremlin in the spring of 2025, intercut with footage from across the country meant to showcase Vladimir Putin’s “achievements” during his 25 years in power. In it, Putin defends Russia’s annexation of Crimea and justifies the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, takes aim at “Western values,” muses about who might one day replace him — and says he “hopes” he won’t have to use nuclear weapons. Below are a few of the more memorable soundbites.
On why Russia didn’t launch a full-scale war against Ukraine in 2014
According to President Vladimir Putin, Russia did not escalate to full-scale war in 2014 for two main reasons. First, the country was not ready “to make any abrupt moves,” as work still needed to be done “in the areas of security, military development, the economy, and finance.” Second, he stated that Moscow had been “sincerely trying to resolve the Donbas issue” through peaceful means.
In 2014, [launching a special military operation] was unrealistic in practice. The country wasn’t prepared for a head-on confrontation with the entire collective West — which is what we’re seeing now. The West acknowledges this — even in the U.S., they say it outright. They say, ‘We are in a state of institutional war with Russia.’ Russia is, in essence, standing alone against the entire collective West. That called for a serious approach to the potential development of the situation.
On annexing Crimea
Putin once again repeated his version of events regarding the annexation of Crimea, calling it a “forced” move and saying that Russia acted to “protect” the region’s residents.
We were simply forced, in 2014, to make the decision to support the people of Crimea and Sevastopol. Because any other course of action would have meant abandoning them to be torn apart. I understood that this would inevitably come with serious difficulties. And that’s exactly what happened — sanctions were imposed immediately, in 2014. And I believe we made the right decision back then, doing what we did.
On public support for the war
Putin said that when he made the decision to invade Ukraine in 2022, he “hoped” the Russian people would support him — but understood they could have reacted otherwise.
I was hoping for that [support]. Of course, there was a risk that things could turn out differently and that the mood in society might be different. So yes, the risk was definitely significant.
According to Putin, over the course of the war, every Russian has come to understand that they themselves are the state — that “the present day, the future, their children, their families, their homeland, and their country all depend on them.”
[The Russian citizen] understands now that the deep state — is him. That he is the final line of defense, the last authority. It’s like during the war — remember, the Great Patriotic War? Russia is vast, but there’s nowhere to retreat. Behind us is Moscow.
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On reconciliation with Ukrainians
When asked by Pavel Zarubin whether “reconciliation with the Ukrainian part of the Russian people” might happen in the future, Putin said:
I think it’s inevitable — despite the tragedy we’re living through now. It’s only a matter of time.
On the use of nuclear weapons
Putin said that while the West had attempted to “provoke” Russia by allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western-supplied missiles, Moscow saw no need to respond with a nuclear strike. He added that he still “hopes” such a response will not be necessary in the future.
They wanted to provoke us, to push us into making mistakes. But there was no need to use the kind of weapons you’re referring to — and I hope there won’t be. We have enough strength and resources to bring what we started in 2022 to a logical conclusion, and to achieve the outcome Russia needs.
On the difference between Russian and Western worldviews
Putin once again claimed that, unlike in the West, people in Russia place a higher value on moral principles than on material well-being.
At the core of Western culture — Catholic and Protestant culture — material prosperity has always come first. Yes, they have spiritual values too, of course, but success is still measured in material terms. In Russia, that’s not the case. In Russia, broadly speaking, we talk about moral foundations. There has always been this overarching idea — a moral, ethical one.
He also said that for centuries, Western countries have tried to “break up” Russia — including during the period of Mongol rule, when the country was weakened. When those efforts failed, he said, propaganda was used instead.
It was believed that beyond Poland’s eastern border, there was no civilization. And in order to civilize that territory, Catholicism had to be brought in. As soon as Ivan IV, Ivan the Terrible, said, ‘No, we’re staying Orthodox,’ a legend immediately arose that he was a cruel tyrant, completely insane, and so on.
On a successor
Putin said he is “always” thinking about who will one day lead the country. He agreed with Zarubin’s assertion that he is constantly assessing the potential of possible candidates.
Of course, there are campaign tactics and administrative tools. But ultimately, the decision belongs to the people — to the Russian people, to the citizens, to the voters. Someone who doesn’t have the public’s trust is unlikely to have a serious chance. That’s absolutely fundamental.
Putin said that “a person — or better yet, several people” must emerge who are capable of earning that trust. He did not name any specific individuals.
