MOSCOW: In response to the US and European "sanctions fever" in response to the war, President Vladimir Putin declared that Russia would be strengthened by its invasion of Ukraine.
At the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Wednesday, Putin was asked about the conflict in Ukraine after a speech by the panel's moderator in which he made no direct mention of the war.
He replied, "I believe we have lost nothing and will not lose anything." “The main advantage we get is to strengthen our sovereignty.
Since Putin ordered the invasion on February 24 and began the worst security crisis in Europe since World War II, the US and its allies estimate that tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded, and a significant An amount of military hardware has been destroyed.
Additionally, Russia has been subjected to US and European sanctions that are driving its economy into recession, while also causing foreign businesses to leave the country and banning imports of Western technology.
Additionally, Ukraine has received tens of billions of dollars in financial and military aid from the US and its allies, including an influx of state-of-the-art weapons that have allowed Ukrainian forces to retaliate against Russian aggression.
Regarding the economic impacts of COVID-19, Putin said that "the pandemic has been replaced by other challenges, also of a global nature, that threaten the entire world." I am referring to the aggressive efforts of the West to impose sanctions on other countries, to strip them of their sovereignty and to subject them to their will.
The Russian leader stressed that it was "impossible" to isolate Russia, while "we understand the risks and the need to take them into account." The Russian leader sat next to Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hling at the plenary session, who is under US sanctions for alleged human rights violations.
At the annual forum aimed at highlighting investment opportunities in Russia's Far East, Putin was joined by China's top lawmaker Li Zhanshu, as well as the prime ministers of Mongolia and Armenia. According to Putin, the presidents of India, Malaysia and Vietnam have agreed to make a video address.
After the military overthrew the government in a coup in February 2021, the US imposed sanctions on Myanmar's leaders.
Two years ago, Min Aung Huling was sentenced for allegedly ordering his army to violate human rights.
A day after it was revealed that a secret internal report made for the Russian government suggested the nation could experience a longer and deeper recession as the effects of US and European sanctions spread, Putin dismissed international sanctions. Gave.
Compared to the generally enthusiastic public statements made by Russian officials, the document paints a much bleaker picture.
Putin assured forum attendees that Russia was handling the West's "economic, financial and technological aggression" well.
Putin, Western countries are suffering more as a result of sanctions imposed on Russia in retaliation for its continued invasion of Ukraine than Russia.
Putin claimed that the West was failing and that Asia was the future in an attempt to emphasize Russia's tilt towards Asia.
Putin praised the growing influence of the Asia-Pacific region on world affairs as Moscow works to strengthen its ties with Asia in response to Western sanctions.
According to Putin, the role of the Asia-Pacific region has increased significantly, and cooperation will open up "huge new opportunities for our people".
Putin claims selling energy resources to Russia is "no problem"
Putin said Russia would have no trouble selling its vast energy resources around the world, despite Western sanctions intended to reduce the Kremlin's essential energy revenues.
He called Europe's proposal for a price cap on Russian gas "stupid", claimed it would drive up prices, and stressed that there was high demand for Russian energy around the world during the economic forum in Vladivostok.
Putin said Russia and China have reached an agreement on all necessary conditions for the sale of gas to China via Mongolia.
Kiev: Putin should stand in world court trial for starting a war
Russia accuses Ukraine of car blast that killed Putin ally’s daughter
