Vladimir Putin defends the invasion of Ukraine in a long speech against the West
Vladimir Putin at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 17, 2022. AP - Dmitry Lovetsky
Text by: RFI Follow
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Russian Head of State Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his determination to continue his "special operation" in Ukraine on Friday during a long speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
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Vladimir accused the West of colonial arrogance and wanting to crush his country with “
dumb
” sanctions, which never had a chance to work.
“
We are a strong people and can face any challenge.
Like our ancestors, we will solve all problems, the whole millennial history of our country testifies to this
, ”said Vladimir Putin.
Western allies have imposed the harshest rounds of economic sanctions against Russia that any country has seen in modern history due to the February 24 invasion of Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin said the European Union could lose more than $400 billion (381.5 billion euros) from the sanctions, which the Russian president said would backfire on those who took them.
Russia is not to blame for
the current rise in grain prices
, stressed Vladimir Putin, who accuses the United States of driving up food prices by "
spinning the printing press
" and
" monopolizing
” food on world markets.
He also assured that the Russian offensive in Ukraine had no influence on the global economic difficulties, in particular the rise in energy prices, stigmatizing the "
systemic errors
" of the West.
"
We all hear about an alleged
'Putin inflation' (...)
Our actions to liberate the Donbass have nothing to do with that
"
, he affirmed during the plenary session of the
economic forum of Saint -Petersburg.
The Russian president also said he was confident about the return to Russia of Western companies, especially European ones, which slammed the door due to the Russian offensive in Ukraine.
“
I have no doubt that over time many of our partners from European countries will return to the Russian market.
And we will not put obstacles in their way.
We are open to the whole world
,” he said.
(
With agencies
)
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Russia
Ukraine
Vladimir Poutine
Economy