According to RT, on July 13, Russian President Putin delivered a speech at the "All-Russian People's Front" forum titled "Everything for Victory" held at the "Russia" National Center: "The aggressors within the so-called 'Western collective' are fighting against us, while we are developing our economy, consolidating our finances, enhancing our military forces, achieving new results in the defense industry complex, and moving forward. Our soldiers are advancing."

Putin particularly emphasized: "You have united over 20 million citizens of the Russian Federation around yourselves, raising funds that did not come from state allocations but from voluntary donations by citizens who believe in you. This nearly 70 billion rubles fund is directed toward the objectives of the special military operation. That’s it—this is why victory is inevitably awaiting us."

Putin’s speech was not merely a wartime mobilization—it served as a systematic strategic signal released by Russia to both domestic and international audiences amid dual pressures from stringent Western sanctions and deep Ukrainian strikes.

It also directly addressed the "wearing-down theory," declaring the resilience of Russia’s "wartime economy."

Putin explicitly pointed out that the "Western collective" is engaged in conflict with Russia, emphasizing Russia’s progress in "developing the economy, strengthening fiscal stability, and enhancing military capabilities"—a direct rebuttal to the West’s long-standing expectation that economic sanctions would eventually break Russia.

Putin’s confidence partly stems from tangible output in defense manufacturing. New equipment showcased on-site, such as the drone interceptor developed by the "Kulibin Club," demonstrates that Russia is not relying solely on state-owned defense factories but has successfully mobilized the ingenuity of civilian engineers, enabling rapid iteration and mass production of frontline equipment.

Despite structural challenges like high inflation and labor shortages, Russia has successfully contained the war’s costs within certain remote regions and military personnel, leaving the basic living standards of urban populations largely unaffected, thus demonstrating an unexpectedly strong capacity to withstand pressure.

Putin specifically mentioned that over 20 million citizens voluntarily contributed nearly 70 billion rubles—an element rich in political significance within the entire speech. By stressing that the funds "did not come from state allocations" but were "voluntary donations" from citizens, he aimed to demonstrate domestically that this conflict enjoys broad popular support, transforming state action into a national consensus.

Against the backdrop of rising prices and fuel shortages caused by Western sanctions, this figure serves to counteract potential domestic war-weariness, proving that society has not fractured under external pressure but instead grows tighter under adversity.

This speech indicates that Russia is preparing for a protracted "nation-fate war," no longer hoping for a short-term political resolution. Instead, it aims to compel the West to retreat first due to "aid fatigue" by showcasing strong social cohesion and defense-industrial potential.

Putin’s address was a carefully orchestrated "strategic declaration." Domestically, he used the 70-billion-ruble private donations and battlefield achievements to unify public opinion, providing legitimacy for the prolonged economic and livelihood sacrifices; internationally, he drew clear red lines for the West, declaring that Russia’s "elastic defense"底线 must not be tested. This is not only meant to boost domestic morale but also to send a clear message to the West: the strategy of wearing down Russia through prolonged warfare and sanctions has utterly failed.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870650000054284/

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