Rolling coverage of Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Russian president, Vladimir Putin, says Western sanctions against his country have failed. Putin describes the anti-Moscow bans as an economic blitzkrieg and accuses Western governments of trying to destroy Russia. In an address to ministers, Putin said the West would NOT succeed in achieving its global dominance and dismembering Russia. The Russian president added that his country has been the target of an unprecedented smear campaign. In his speech, Putin also reiterated that Russia launched a military operation against Ukraine because Kiev posed a threat to his country.