Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Western countries Tuesday of igniting and sustaining the war in Ukraine, dismissing any blame for Moscow almost a year after the Kremlins unprovoked invasion of its neighbor that has killed tens of thousands of people.

In his long-delayed state-of-the-nation address, Putin cast Russia and Ukraine as victims of Western double-dealing and said Russia, not Ukraine, was the one fighting for its very existence.

We arent fighting the Ukrainian people, Putin said in a speech days before the wars first anniversary on Friday . Ukraine has become hostage of the Kyiv regime and its Western masters, which have effectively occupied the country.