NEW DELHI: In a comprehensive interview with Dmitry Kiselyov, the head of Rossiya Segodnya, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed Moscow’s current stand against Western powers. With the presidential elections just around the corner, Putin’s statements shed light on Russia‘s foreign policy and its confrontations with Western nations, notably the United States and its allies.
Here are some highlights from the interview:
The decline of Western Dominance: Putin articulated a vision where non-Western countries are moving towards sovereignty, eyeing Russia’s standoff with the US with interest. He accused Western elites of exploiting Africa, Latin America, and Asia for centuries, suggesting that the era dominated by these powers is coming to an end. In his words, the Western “ball of vampires” is reaching its conclusion, especially as countries like France retract from their colonial legacies, a Russia Today report said.
No ‘Red Lines’ in West’s confrontation strategy: The Russian president warned against Western nations adopting a policy with no “red lines” in their confrontation with Russia, specifically criticizing French President Macron‘s aggressive rhetoric. He highlighted the potential threat to Ukraine’s statehood if Western troops were deployed and indicated that Moscow’s commitment to peace hinges on realistic security guarantees, not on what he termed Kiev’s “drug-fueled wish list.”
Toll on Ukraine: Putin critiqued the Ukrainian government’s military strategies, describing them as desperate attempts to secure Western support by sacrificing troops in unwinnable scenarios. He believes these actions lack military value and aim to mask Ukraine’s dire situation.
Nuclear preparedness and military spending: Addressing the possibility of a nuclear confrontation, Putin stated Russia’s readiness to use its nuclear arsenal, which he claims surpasses others in advancement. He criticized the US military’s inefficiency despite its massive spending, drawing a contrast with Russia’s strategic investments, such as the Avangard hypersonic glider, which he claims undermines US defense capabilities.
US presidential race and Putin’s preferences: In a lighter moment, Putin recounted an interaction with former US President Donald Trump, who accused him of favoring Joe Biden, dubbed “Sleepy Joe” by Trump. Putin commented on the lack of civility in the current US presidential race, casting doubt on the integrity of American democracy.
Here are some highlights from the interview:
The decline of Western Dominance: Putin articulated a vision where non-Western countries are moving towards sovereignty, eyeing Russia’s standoff with the US with interest. He accused Western elites of exploiting Africa, Latin America, and Asia for centuries, suggesting that the era dominated by these powers is coming to an end. In his words, the Western “ball of vampires” is reaching its conclusion, especially as countries like France retract from their colonial legacies, a Russia Today report said.
No ‘Red Lines’ in West’s confrontation strategy: The Russian president warned against Western nations adopting a policy with no “red lines” in their confrontation with Russia, specifically criticizing French President Macron‘s aggressive rhetoric. He highlighted the potential threat to Ukraine’s statehood if Western troops were deployed and indicated that Moscow’s commitment to peace hinges on realistic security guarantees, not on what he termed Kiev’s “drug-fueled wish list.”
Toll on Ukraine: Putin critiqued the Ukrainian government’s military strategies, describing them as desperate attempts to secure Western support by sacrificing troops in unwinnable scenarios. He believes these actions lack military value and aim to mask Ukraine’s dire situation.
Nuclear preparedness and military spending: Addressing the possibility of a nuclear confrontation, Putin stated Russia’s readiness to use its nuclear arsenal, which he claims surpasses others in advancement. He criticized the US military’s inefficiency despite its massive spending, drawing a contrast with Russia’s strategic investments, such as the Avangard hypersonic glider, which he claims undermines US defense capabilities.
US presidential race and Putin’s preferences: In a lighter moment, Putin recounted an interaction with former US President Donald Trump, who accused him of favoring Joe Biden, dubbed “Sleepy Joe” by Trump. Putin commented on the lack of civility in the current US presidential race, casting doubt on the integrity of American democracy.
