Vladimir Putin defiantly compared Western powers with Hitler yesterday as he defended his aggressive foreign policy. In a belligerent and provocative state-of-the-nation address, the Russian president accused the West of ‘trying to build a new Iron Curtain’. He claimed Russia was asserting its ‘sovereignty and national pride’ over its dealings with neighbouring Ukraine – and said his country’s survival depended on it. Scroll down for video In a defiant speech, Russian president Vladimir Putin defended his country's action in Ukraine during his annual state-of-the-nation address at Moscow's Grand Kremlin Palace With his eyes closed, Russian prime minister Dmitri Medvedev appears to be having a nap during Putin's speech
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A defiant Putin accused opponents of trying to erect a new Iron Curtain
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Russian prime minister Dmitri Medvedev appeared to be having a nap
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Putin justified his country's actions in Crimea and Ukraine
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Vowed not to change course despite the threat of isolation
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Putin also vowed to tackle economic problems gripping Russia
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More than 4,300 people have been killed in the conflict with separatists in eastern Ukraine, which the West and the @placeholder government say is fuelled by Russian arms and money.