Putin rages against West in speech decried as absurd propaganda

President Vladimir Putin addressed members of both houses of parliament, military commanders and soldiers in Moscow, while video screens were put up in large cities across the country [Sergei Savostyanov/Sputnik/Kremlin pool via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a combative state-of-the-nation speech, blaming the West for the war in Ukraine ahead of the first anniversary of the invasion he ordered.

Putin spoke on Tuesday in front of a crowd of 1,400 people in Moscow, addressing members of both houses of parliament, military commanders and soldiers while video screens were also put up in large cities across the country.