Putin To Legislators: West Wants To Weaken Russia -- Voice of America
MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out Thursday at the United States and its European allies, saying Western sanctions for Russia's annexation of Crimea were just an excuse to weaken the country.
Delivering his annual state of the nation speech to legislators, Kremlin officials and other leaders on Thursday, Putin said the sanctions are not just a reaction of the U.S. and its allies over Russia's response to the events and a coup in Ukraine.
"I am certain that if all this did not take place ... they would come up with another reason to contain Russia's growing capabilities, to influence it or, even better, use it for its own goals," the Russian leader said.
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More News On Russian President Putin's Annual State Of The Nation Address
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Vladimir Putin's annual state of the nation address (Full Coverage) -- ITAR-TASS
Key points of Vladimir Putin's annual state of the nation address -- ITAR-TASS
Highlights - Putin delivers keynote speech on economy, Ukraine -- Reuters
Bullish Putin compares the West with Hitler in combative state-of-the-nation speech (...but not everyone's impressed as prime minister Medvedev falls asleep) -- Daily Mail
Putin defends Russia's foreign policy -- AP
Putin says foes hope to dismember Russia; ruble falls -- Reuters
President Putin urges Russian resilience for hard times -- BBC
Vladimir Putin: west has tried to contain Russia for decades -- The Guardian
Putin compares West with Adolf Hitler in desire to subjugate Russia -- The Telegraph
In Kremlin speech, Putin rails at West, tries to bolster economy as recession looms -- Washington Post
Putin: Russia Needs to Reverse Trend of Zero Economic Growth -- Sputnik
Putin speech offers few reforms for economic woes -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Putin Suggests Total Amnesty for Offshore Capital Returning to Russia -- Sputnik
Putin Suggests Four-Year Tax Freeze in Russia -- Sputnik
Presidential Address Should Not Be Viewed as New Economic Policy: Kremlin -- Sputnik
Russia’s Putin Accuses West of Provoking Ukraine Crisis -- WSJ
Putin: Talking to Russia from position of strength is meaningless -- RT
Putin: Under No Circumstances Will Moscow Stop Cooperating With Europe, US -- Sputnik
Putin says Russia will not be dismantled like Yugoslavia -- Reuters
Putin says Russia wants cooperation with the West -- Reuters
Putin Accuses Western 'Enemies' of Building New Iron Curtain Around Russia -- Vice
Rouble falls sharply as Putin blames West over Ukraine in keynote speech -- Reuters
Russian assets fall after Putin disappoints and oil slide resumes -- Reuters
Putin Grasping at Straws as Economic Cures Fail to Impress -- Bloomberg
My Comment: I listened to all of his speech (and in Russian) .... and I was completely underwhelmed. I must confess that after 10 minutes I felt like Russian Prime Minister Medvedev (see picture below).
With his eyes closed, Russian prime minister Dmitri Medvedev appears to be having a nap during Putin's speech.
Vespasian at Nero's greek lyre recital?
ReplyDeleteAn interesting take on this speech:
ReplyDeletehttp://charlescrawford.biz/2014/12/07/musty-needy-putin/
Charles Crawford talks about the "rule of law" .... James .... that is something that is dear to my heart .... and it is something that I have been pushing in Russia for years. That is also the answer that I am always giving to my family, friends, and associates back in the "old country" when they ask me on why am I reluctant to return and do business back home ... to put it bluntly .... there is no rule of law by which contracts can be respected and/or handled when a dispute arises. This is also why I am a supporter of Prime Minister Medvedev .... he has always recognized the importance of the "rule of law" .... and on why Russia needs it. Putin .... sighhh .... he has a different opinion.
ReplyDeleteI thought that might get your attention. It's a concept hard for some people to grasp and also understand it's ramifications for the person, his property, and endeavors.
ReplyDelete