Ukraine situation to ‘normalize sooner or later’: Putin

MOSCOW (AA) – Russia is not concerned that Ukraine could get the status of a European Union candidate “because the EU is not a military organization,” Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

Speaking at the plenary meeting of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin questioned whether joining the EU will benefit Ukraine, saying the West is more interested in giving Kyiv some financial grants to maintain its loyalty than to actually support its economic and industrial growth.

On future relations with Ukraine, he said Russia was willing to build relations with anyone, but “only our army and navy can be the guarantors of our security.”

“We view it as a fact that sooner or later the situation will normalize. We want to ensure that all our neighbors have prosperity; then it is inevitable, I want it to be clear, the restoration of relations (between Russia and Ukraine),” he said.

Putin reiterated that Russia’s actions in Ukraine were “a forced measure,” as threats were being created that could be compared to Russia creating a military foothold in Mexico.

He further explained that Russia had repeatedly tried to find a common ground, but that Russia’s grievances were never adequately addressed.

He criticized statements by politicians from the West about the possibility of a nuclear war.

“One irresponsible politician blurts out something, then another, and at a very high level … we respond accordingly,” he said.

Russia’s answers are then portrayed as threats, when in reality “we are not threatening anything,” he added.

Putin also acknowledged that the global economy was going through a very difficult period because of the West’s attempt “to preserve obsolete geopolitical illusions.”

‘Western elites clinging to the shadows of the past’

The US, after proclaiming ‘victory’ in the Cold War, declared itself the “messenger of God on Earth,” with no obligations and just “sacred” interests, he remarked.

He criticized Western elites for ignoring the fact that new, powerful and increasingly assertive centers have emerged in past decades, saying they refuse to notice obvious things while “stubbornly clinging to the shadows of the past.”

“For example, they seem to believe that the dominance of the West in global politics and the economy is unchanging and eternal. Nothing lasts forever,” he said.

The West is even trying to reverse the course of history, he added.

“They consider everything a backwater, or their backyard. They still treat them like colonies, and the people living there, like second-class people, because they consider themselves exceptional. If they are exceptional, that means everyone else is second-rate,” he stressed.

The West has an “irrepressible urge” to punish and economically crush anyone who does not fit with the mainstream or refuses to blindly obey, said Putin.

“Moreover, they crudely and shamelessly impose their ethics, their views on culture and ideas about history, sometimes questioning the sovereignty and integrity of states, and threatening their very existence,” he said, pointing to Yugoslavia, Syria, Libya and Iraq as examples.

If some “rebel” state cannot be suppressed or pacified, they try to isolate or “cancel” it in all areas, including sports, culture, and art, he added.

“This is the nature of the current round of Russophobia in the West, and the insane sanctions against Russia. They are crazy and, I would say, thoughtless. They are unprecedented in their number and the pace at which the West is churning them out,” he said.

The intent behind it is clear – a sudden and violent blow to Russia’s industry, finance, forcible recall of Western companies, and freezing its assets was all done to crush our economy, he added.

“Obviously, it did not work out; it did not happen. Russian entrepreneurs and authorities have acted in a collected and professional manner, and Russians have shown solidarity and responsibility,” he said.

‘Sanctions a double-edged weapon’

Putin said sanctions are a “double-edged weapon,” pointing out that in some cases they have impacted the “initiators worse than Russia.”

He warned that the practice of sanctions creates “a dangerous precedent,” saying he knows about informal talks held secretly among European leaders about the possibility of imposing sanctions on any “unwanted” entity, including members of the EU and European companies.

The EU’s direct losses because of sanctions on Russia have reached $400 billion, while inflation in some countries has hit 20%, he added.

The economic problems may lead to social problems, including the growth of populist, radical political forces, he warned.

Putin also admitted that the sanctions have created problems for Moscow and more difficulties lie ahead but asserted that Russia “is ready to face the challenges.”