MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded economic steps in response to Western sanctions, which are expected to intensify. At a government meeting on Thursday, Putin made a video connection appearance and said, "It is crucial to recognise that the sanctions burden on Russia will only rise." The President was cited as saying, "In this regard, it is vital to design flexible, effective initiatives for both short and medium horizons and continuously implement them." Putin urged the executive branch and the central bank to guarantee the macroeconomic indicators' sustained recovery. He observed that export-oriented industries continue to face pressure, particularly those that are geared toward European nations, and that switching to alternative markets by Russian exporters takes time. In the meanwhile, Putin noted several encouraging developments, including the recovery of industrial production to its pre-crisis level. The worst-hit industries, such the metallurgical and automotive sectors, are progressively rebounding, and the agricultural sector is also performing well, he added. Reluctant recruits: Vladimir Putin still refers to his invasion as a "special military operation," characterising it as narrowly focused and transient. Even though it didn't directly touch them, many Russians were able to accept and even embrace that. However, the activation of military reserves has made a peril that was formerly far away and impersonal into something that is now very close and personal. Regional leaders are scrambling to call up as many men as they can in an effort to exceed their quotas in a Soviet-style competition. "This is a pivotal time. The battle only recently began for the majority of Russians a few weeks ago, "says Anton Barbashin. "People from the suburbs and smaller cities made up the majority of the fatalities in the first few months. The coffins will eventually return to Moscow and St. Petersburg, however, as a result of mobilisation." Why Vladimir Putin's Criticisms of Western Imperialism Are False? Strikes on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia leave two people dead and five others missing Ukraine gains more territory in the region integrated into Russia