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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would continue its military operations in Ukraine until it reached its goal, mocking Western attempts to corner Russia with sanctions.
Putin told an annual economic forum in the Far Eastern port city of Vladivostok that the main goal of sending troops to Ukraine was to protect civilians in the east of the country after eight years of fighting.
“It’s not that we launched the military operation, we’re trying to end it,” he said, reiterating his argument that he sent troops into Ukraine to protect Moscow-backed separatist areas of Ukraine that have fought Ukrainian forces before Russia’s annexation The conflict that erupted in 2014 after the Crimea.
“All our actions are to help the people of Donbass, it is our duty and we will do it till the end,” he said.
Putin said Russia had strengthened its sovereignty in the face of Western sanctions, which he said bordered on aggression.
“Russia has resisted economic, financial and technological aggression from the West,” he said.
“I’m sure we haven’t lost anything and we’re not going to lose anything.
“The most important takeaway is the strengthening of our sovereignty, which is a corollary of what’s going on.”
The Russian leader said that Russia’s economic and financial situation has stabilized, consumer price inflation has slowed, and the unemployment rate has remained low.
“There’s a certain polarization in the world and at home, but I think that’s a positive thing,” he added.
“Everything that is unnecessary, harmful, and that stands in our way will be rejected, and we will gain a rhythm of development, because development can only be based on sovereignty.”
He stressed that Russia would continue to protect its sovereignty in the face of what he described as attempts by the United States and its allies to maintain its global dominance, saying “the world cannot be built on the orders of a country that thinks it is its own.” Almighty and even higher representatives and base their policies on their perceived exclusivity”.
He mocked Western attempts to cap Russian oil and gas prices, calling the idea “foolish” and saying Russia would have enough customers in Asia.
“The demand in the global market is so high that we won’t have any problems selling it,” he said.
“Trying to limit prices by administrative means is just nonsense, complete nonsense,” he added. “It will only lead to higher prices.”
“If they try to implement this stupid decision, it will do no good to those who are willing to make it,” he warned.
“Will they make a political decision that contradicts the contract? In this case, if it contradicts our economic interests, we will stop supplying. We will not supply any gas, oil, diesel or coal.”
He rejected the EU’s argument that Russia is using energy as a weapon by suspending gas supplies to Germany via the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline.
Putin reiterated Russia’s argument that Western sanctions hindered the maintenance of the last turbine still in operation, forcing it to shut down.
He reiterated that Moscow is ready to “push a button” and start gas deliveries “as early as tomorrow” through the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which has been put on hold by German authorities.
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