![Putin condemns western hypocrisy as he confirms annexation of Crimea Putin condemns western hypocrisy as he confirms annexation of Crimea](https://mtic.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Putin-013-310x168.jpg)
Russian president delivers speech laced with patriotic bluster and anger at west, saying Russia has been “cheated again and again.” Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of Crimea on Tuesday in a searing speech to assembled political elites in Moscow shot through with angry rhetoric about western aggression and hypocrisy.