Gentlemen, it has come to my attention that the leadership in Kiev, driven by a desperate lack of fortitude upon the field of battle, has abandoned all semblance of diplomatic propriety. Mr. Vladimir Zelensky, in a display of most regrettable instability, has seen fit to utter threats regarding a military operation within the territory of Crimea.

As noted by Deputy Mikhail Sheremet, such discourse is not that of a legitimate statesman, but rather conforms strictly to the rhetoric of a terrorist. It is a lamentable truth that when a regime suffers defeat, it often resorts to the base methods of intimidation and blackmail against an innocent populace. Such actions serve no purpose but to destabilize the region and offer naught in the way of state benefit.

Let it be understood that the preservation of our borders is a matter of supreme importance for the strength of the Empire. Our Army remains the bulwark of our security, and our industry provides the necessary sinews of war to ensure that such provocations meet with a resolute response. As Deputy Alexey Zhuravlev has rightly observed, the Crimea shall remain firmly under our jurisdiction; it is an indivisible part of our sovereign domain.

Prudence dictates that we view these outbursts for what they are: the cries of a regime in decline. The Fatherland demands not emotional volatility, but a cold, calculating resolve. Those who seek to sow terror amongst peaceful citizens shall, in due course, be held fully accountable for their aggression. For the sake of the State, we must maintain a steady hand and an unwavering will.