Putin denounces West, suspends key nuclear treaty

Vladimir Putin delivering a defiant speech today, also vowing to stand firm. Our chief foreign correspondent Ian Panoliv and Keev tonight. And Ian, it was a remarkable split-screen of sorts today. Two leaders standing up to one another and for many, eerily reminiscent of the Cold War era. Yeah, I think you're right. I mean, if President Biden was trying to rally American, its allies, Putin was trying to rally Russia. He was as defiant as ever, again blaming the US and NATO for starting a war.

He said was aimed at Russia's strategic defeat. And I think despite a year of battlefield humiliations, he showed no signs of backing down. No easing intentions either, with Putin even appearing to make thinly veiled nuclear threats. And while he was speaking, his army was again shelling civilians in liberated Hurson. With China's Foreign Minister in Moscow now for meetings tomorrow amid US warnings against supplying weapons to Russia, you're right. It's been a day of Cold War echoes. When Putin makes it totally clear he's ready as ever to fight for a very long time here in Ukraine.

David. Ian Pennell, live in Keev for us tonight. Ian, thank you. Hi, everyone. George Stephanopoulos here. Thanks for checking out the ABC News YouTube channel. If you'd like to get more videos, show highlights and watch live event coverage, click on the right over here to subscribe to our channel.

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