Filenews 17 June 2022
"Our partners in the West deliberately undermined the international foundations in the name of their geopolitical illusions," Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, according to Russian news agency Ria Novosti.
The Russian president noted that the current changes in the economy and international politics are revolutionary. Putin argued that the West is trying to oppose the course of history, he thinks in terms of the last century, they have illusions and do not want to see changes.
"The West ruthlessly imposes its ethics and culture, including on sports," Putin argued.
The Russian president claimed that domestic businesses and authorities worked together during the imposition of sanctions against Russia.
The ominous forecasts for the Russian economy, heard in early spring, did not come true, the Russian president argued. According to him, estimates for the dollar at 200 roubles and other Western forecasts were part of the information war against Russia.
Putin said 16.7% is a large inflation rate and that the authorities will work to reduce it and that the economy will stabilize.
He also said that interest rates would be reduced to 7%.
Continuing, Putin argued that European leaders had inflicted a severe blow on their economies on their own. The European Union's direct losses from sanctions alone could exceed $400 billion in a year. As Putin pointed out, these costs will be borne by the citizens. "Western sanctions were based on a misjudgement that Russia has no economic sovereignty," he said.
The Russian president is convinced that the EU is losing its global competitiveness due to sanctions against Russia.
Putin predicts a further increase in inequality in Europe and unrest due to poor economic management. In his view, the current situation will lead to an upsurge in radicalism and, in the long term, to a change of the elites.
Putin argued that what is happening in the world is not the result of the events of recent months, including the Russian special operation in Donbass, it all started a long time ago because of the irresponsible policy of the G7 countries.
The Russian president noted that while the U.S. was a major supplier of food, it has now become a net importer – printing money and buying food around the world.
A failed energy policy contributed to the rise in prices in Europe, Russia had nothing to do with the rise in energy prices, fuel prices had begun to rise long before the special operation, Putin argued. "I hope that gas flows will increase through new routes soon," he noted.
Putin noted that Russia can significantly increase food and fertilizer exports and that grain shipments could amount to 50 million tonnes. tons as early as the next season. Putin said there are several options for exporting Ukrainian grain, but Kiev authorities must decide how to do this "without being guided by their bosses from abroad."
He also accused the West of fuelling Ukraine with weapons and reinforcing Russophobia in the country.
The Russian president stressed that the pandemic and current events have confirmed the importance of flexibility and adaptation to external conditions. He added that it is necessary to ensure economic growth by supporting private enterprises. "The freedoms of entrepreneurs are an important point in our long-term development plan," he said, adding: "We will also deal with Western companies."
Putin also said That Russia will expand cooperation with those who want it. "Russia will never walk the path of self-isolation. Russia will develop as an open economy," he stressed.
Source: Capital.gr
