MOSCOW, Dec 25, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin blasted the West for trying to "tear apart" Russia, in extracts from an interview to be broadcast on national television later Sunday.

"At the core of it all is the policy of our geopolitical opponents, aiming to tear apart Russia, the historical Russia," Putin said. "They have always tried to 'divide and conquer'... Our goal is something else -- to unite the Russian people."