Key takeaways from Putin’s panel in Vladivostok — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his view that the United States and its allies may be inadvertently diminishing their influence as they seek to exert it in the face of emerging global powers. He specifically cited Ukraine as a nation that has opted for alignment with the West, noting that its people have borne significant consequences as a result.
The head of state made these comments during a speech at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Tuesday. This prominent event took place in Russia’s Far East and featured a panel discussion where Putin was featured alongside Pany Yathotou, the vice president of Laos.
The West is shooting itself in the leg
In a critique of U.S. and allied actions, Putin highlighted how they are unintentionally harming their own interests when they misuse international financial mechanisms for geopolitical purposes.
“What, for example, are the restrictions on transactions in dollars leading to? All nations are mulling creating their own tools, new payment systems,” he explained.
Furthermore, the leader argued that Western nations have eroded global confidence by freezing Russia’s national reserves as a punitive measure in response to the Ukraine conflict.
“God knows, they have themselves to blame for the negative consequences they are already facing,” Putin said.
Too late for the West to contain China
The Russian president foresees that the Western world is actively working to undermine and contain China but believes such a policy will ultimately prove futile.
In his words, “The lengths they go to stall China’s development are shocking, but they cannot achieve it. This train is already gone.”
Moscow and Beijing share strong and cooperative ties across numerous fronts. However, both nations are not pursuing a military alliance nor positioning themselves as “friends against somebody.”
When asked about the details of his private discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Russia in March, Putin joked that, as a former KGB officer, he doesn’t “disclose secrets.”
Trump persecution exposes ‘rot’ in US
The health of the US political system appears to be in decline, as indicated by the numerous criminal charges facing former President Donald Trump, according to the perspective of the Russian leader.
“The things that are happening to Trump are persecution of a political competitor,” he stated.
Putin also said he believes the US elites are committed to maintaining Russia as a foe. Moscow is thus indifferent to whether a Democrat or a Republican emerges victorious in the White House following the 2024 election, as it would make no difference.
Given the existing hostility, however, the controversy surrounding Trump proves advantageous to Russia, he said. It unveils the “rot” within the US political system and demonstrates to the world “who is opposing us.”
Ukrainian leadership counts on war
Ukraine faced significant hardships during its summer counteroffensive against Russia, but Putin suggested that Kiev lacks incentives to pursue a peaceful resolution. He has estimated that Ukraine’s human losses since the commencement of the operation have exceeded 71,000.
“Sometimes it appears that [the Ukrainian leadership] does not consider the people they throw into their counteroffensive as their own,” the leader commented.
Putin said that Kiev’s strategy is apparently to “chew off” as much territory as possible before considering a ceasefire. However, he pointed out that if Moscow agreed to such terms, its adversaries would likely exploit the pause to rebuild their military capabilities for a future confrontation.
The president believes that Ukraine’s goal is to establish a long-term dependence on foreign sponsors for national security and economic assistance.
Elon Musk an ‘outstanding person’
Putin made complimentary remarks about SpaceX founder Elon Musk while discussing the prospects of private investments in the Russian space industry.
The Russian president described the US billionaire as “undoubtedly an outstanding person” whose accomplishments have gained international recognition.
He also noted that SpaceX’s success has partly been facilitated by government support and expressed Moscow’s intentions to forge similar partnerships with the private sector.
