President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia can “move forward” despite Western economic sanctions and political isolation stemming from its Ukraine offensive, opening a long-awaited end-of-year news conference.
Putin has sought to reassure Russians that the dragging conflict will not affect their lives and his assessment came after he announced last week that he will run for a fifth term in March.
“There is enough for us not only to feel confident, but to move forward,” Putin said.
He said that country’s strengths included a “consolidation of Russian society… the perseverence of the financial economic system… (and) the increasing possibilities of our army’s capabilities”.
He conceded however that “inflation is rising”.
Putin also said his main aim for his fifth term in the Kremlin — that will prolong his over two-decade rule until 2030 — is to “strengthen” Russia’s sovereignty.
“This means to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities and external security,” he said.
Another priority, he added, will be “safeguarding the rights of citizens” — despite Moscow unleashing a far-reaching crackdown on dissent at home as troops fight in Ukraine.
He said that peace was possible with Ukraine only after Moscow achieved its goals in the nearly two-year conflict.
“There will be peace when we achieve our goals. They are not changing. I will remind you what we talked about — the de-nazification and de-militarisation of Ukraine and its neutral status,” he said during his press conference in Moscow.
When Putin launching his troops on Ukraine in February 2022, he requested the “de-nazification” of its pro-Western neighbour, a loosely defined term that survivors of the Holocaust have condemned.
He also demanded the “de-militarisation” of Ukraine, which was fending off Russia’s assault.
“As for de-militarisation, they don’t want to negotiate, so we are then forced to take other measures, including military measures,” Putin said.
He also said that the sides “agreed on this during the talks in Istanbul” but that Ukraine subsequently disavowed the agreements.
“Either we agree or we need to resolve (the issue) by force,” he said.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - AFP)