Speaking at the plenary session of the Valdai International Debate Club in Sochi (Russia) on October 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that history has proven: The Soviet Union was wrong to impose its political system on others, and collapsed. Now, the US and the EU are following that path.
According to Mr. Putin, a country that knows how to respect its traditions will often not offend the traditions of other peoples and that political systems that impose their values on other countries will not last long.
A multipolar world has formed
The Russian president said the current multipolar order is the result of unsuccessful efforts from the West to establish global domination. The world is changing rapidly, and we must be ready for all scenarios, he warned. nothing is fixed. It depends on the restraint and caution of each international subject.
According to him, new cooperation models such as BRICS or the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) are emerging not to face off, but to build a "belonging country of the 21st century" based on practicalism, abandoning the old-style alliance mindset and not accepting the "big country - small country" relationship.
The Legend of the Threat of Russia and the European crisis
Mr. Putin criticized the European authorities for creating a "host image" to cover up internal cracks.
They repeat the slogan that the conflict with Russia is right at their doorstep. It's unreasonable. To be honest, I just want to advise them to calm down, rest and take care of their own problems.
Moscow is closely monitoring the situation of mediation in Europe and will respond accordingly. Mr. Putin warned that those who hope to cause a "strategic failure" to Russia will soon realize that is impossible.
Ukraine issue
President Putin affirmed that the Russian army is maintaining the initiative, gradually creating a safe buffer zone along the entire route.
He provided a series of figures on the heavy casualties of Ukraine, while affirming that the Russian army "is the most combat- ready force today". Russia remains open to negotiations and hopes that Kiev will soon be " brave enough to sit at the dialogue table".
Russia-US Relations: It is possible to make a trade-off if there is respect
Mr. Putin said that the difference in benefits between great powers is normal, but the important thing is the approach.
If we treat each other with respect, even the most difficult negotiations can come to an acceptable solution, the Russian leader pointed out.
Mr. Putin assessed that the current US administration is acting "in a direct, unconventional manner", which is better than hiding its intentions in vague language.
The Russian president also stressed that Donald Trump is an affordable, listen-lying lute and expressed his willingness to support Trumps initiative on a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict if it brings long-term peace.
