Putin appeared to be drawing up conflict by placing the blame for escalating tensions on the West. “What’s happening now, the tension developing in Europe, is their fault. At every step Russia was forced to somehow respond,” he said. “At every step the situation grew increasingly worse … and degraded.”

“And I want to stress that we are within our rights to do what is required to ensure Russia’s security and sovereignty,” he added.

U.S. intelligence has shown that Russia could attack Ukraine as soon as the end of January. Putin’s speech seemed to give justification to launching such a campaign. This included accusing the West of supporting separatists in Chechnya.

Russia’s defense minister even claimed at the meeting Tuesday that U.S. mercenaries are planning to launch a “provocation” in Ukraine using chemical weapons. “Tanks with unidentified chemical components have been delivered to the cities of Avdeyevka and Krasny Liman for the completion of the provocations,” Sergei Shoigu said. He provided no evidence.