Vladimir Putin said that none of the negative forecasts for the Russian Federation voiced by Russia's opponents have come true.

The president spoke about this during the first meeting in 2023 with members of the government.

“I want to thank you for your work in 2022.

None of what our enemy predicted for us happened.

And this was done thanks, of course, primarily to the citizens of Russia - their composure (all of our composure), readiness for challenges, readiness to work in difficult conditions, ”Putin said.

He also said that "not least" is the result of the work of the government.

As Putin noted, the head of the Cabinet, Mikhail Mishustin, managed to assemble "an effective, modern team of interested people - interested in the results of work."

The head of state also mentioned that the Russian budget has additional revenues, while emphasizing that we are talking about revenues not related to gas or oil.

“This gives us the opportunity to solve all the tasks that we set on development and on those issues that are current, but very serious and important.

I mean work at the federal level, I mean work on the regional dimension,” Putin said.

At the same time, the president noted that in the near future it is necessary to achieve a solution to issues related to sovereign, independent development, despite any external pressure and threats.

“I emphasize: we reliably guarantee the security and interests of the country.

We will increase our defense capability.

Of course, we will solve all the problems related to the provision of the armed forces - the units involved in the special military operation, ”Putin said.

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The President added that along with this, the implementation of large-scale socio-economic programs and plans aimed at improving the well-being of people, unlocking Russia's potential and expanding international relations will continue.

“We certainly have all the resources for this,” Putin concluded.

"The Real Sanctions War"

Western politicians are systematically making calls to maintain and increase pressure on Russia.

In particular, last October, the head of the White House, Joe Biden, spoke about this.

The intention to maintain sanctions pressure on Russia was also announced in the October statement of the German Cabinet following a conversation between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the US President.

A similar call for the introduction of restrictions against Russia was made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Putin, in his New Year's address, recalled that since 2014, after reunification with Crimea, Russia has been living under sanctions.

However, the President noted, in 2022, the Russian Federation “a real sanctions war was declared.”

As the head of state emphasized, the initiators of this pressure expected the complete destruction of the industry, finance and transport of the country.

Putin said that this did not happen, because the people of Russia "together created a reliable margin of safety."

According to the President, many efforts are aimed at strengthening the sovereignty and economy of Russia.

As Putin believes, the struggle of the Russian Federation for its interests and its future “serves as an inspiring example for other states in their pursuit of a just, multipolar world order.”

In mid-December, during a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects, the President emphasized that Western countries sought to "push Russia to the periphery of world development" by imposing numerous sanctions.

As the head of state noted, the Russian Federation does not intend to follow the path of self-isolation.

Instead, Putin continued, Moscow is expanding and will continue to expand interaction with all those who are interested in this, and Russian trade is switching to dynamic regions and markets, to dynamically developing countries.