MOSCOW:  Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that  Russia continues to develop no matter what sanctions Western countries impose and what threats they make.

While addressing his annual televised "Direct Line" Q&A session, Putin said "Russia's economic sovereignty is increasing and its defence capabilities have reached a very high level." He said the Russian economy has adapted to the sanctions pressure, which in some ways is beneficial as the import substitution programme has boosted Russia's agricultural and high-tech sectors, as per reports.

Putin stressed that the era of absolute hegemony is over and the world is changing drastically. However, the US still tries to do everything to preserve its dominance, and hence there are threats and destructive behaviours through military exercises, provocations and sanctions, he said. "If they cross some boundaries, we will take asymmetric responses that will be sensitive enough for our partners," Putin added.

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