First public comments on Ukraine war in a week, Vladimir Putin said Russia will achieve all of its “noble” military objectives in Ukraine, and he slammed the West for failing to bring Russia to its knees with economic sanctions.

Putin called the situation in Ukraine a tragedy as he spoke publicly for the first time since Russian soldiers retreated from northern Ukraine after being halted at the gates of Kyiv.

Russians in eastern Ukraine must be protected, he argued, or else their former Soviet neighbour would serve as a springboard for Moscow’s adversaries.

“It is our responsibility to meet and exceed all of the objectives stated while minimizing losses. To this end, we will follow the strategy initially outlined by the General Staff,” stated Russian President Vladimir Putin in an interview broadcast live on state television on Tuesday.

A visit to Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome, located 3,450 miles (5,550 kilometers) east of Moscow, coincided with 61 years after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in orbit.

In response to a question from Russian space agency staff, Putin answered, “Absolutely. “I have no doubts whatsoever.”

According to Putin, “its purposes are totally obvious and honorable.” It’s “unquestionable” that the objectives will be met.

On February 24, Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the West placed punishing sanctions on Russia as a result.

When Russia and Ukraine are virtually one people, they will have to face up against the United States, says Putin, who has claimed that Russia and Ukraine are inseparable.

A savage land grab by an imperial-style land grab of a sovereign country has been slammed by the West. After Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and recognized two of Ukraine’s rebel areas as autonomous on February 21, Ukraine has stated it is battling for its existence.