Analyse
In the State of the Federation speech delivered on December 23, 2005, President Vladimir Putin said, "The collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century," and called it a tragic event. The wording in the statement aligns with the official transcript. Multiple reputable news outlets reported the same quotation, confirming its authenticity.
Achtergrond
During the 2005 annual address to the Federal Assembly, Putin reflected on Russia's post‑Soviet challenges and the historical significance of the USSR's dissolution. His remarks were widely covered in Russian and international media, highlighting his view of the collapse as a major loss for Russia and the world.
Samenvatting verdict
Putin indeed described the Soviet Union's collapse as a tragic and the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century in his 2005 address.