Putin Defends Ukraine War as Response to West's Failing Hegemony

Putin says Russia did not start the war in Ukraine, but is trying to finish it.

Putin claims the West caused the war by trying to impose its "crumbling hegemony" globally.

Putin says the US considers itself the sole arbiter of truth in the world.

Putin questions what right the US has to lecture any other country.

Putin presents the war as part of a bigger struggle against US dominance as its power wanes and China rises.