President Putin declared Russia’s ability to ‘move forward’ despite Western sanctions and isolation from the Ukraine offensive, during a year-end news conference on Thursday, following his announcement last week of running for a fifth term in March.
President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia can “move forward” despite Western economic sanctions and political isolation stemming from its Ukraine offensive, opening a long-awaited end-of-year news conference.
Putin has sought to reassure Russians that the dragging conflict will not affect their lives and his assessment came after he announced last week that he will run for a fifth term in March.
“There is enough for us not only to feel confident but to move forward,” Putin said.
He said that the country’s strengths included a “consolidation of Russian society… the perseverance of the financial-economic system… (and) the increasing possibilities of our army’s capabilities.”
He conceded however that “inflation is rising.”
Putin also said his main aim for his fifth term in the Kremlin, which will prolong his over two-decade rule until 2030, is to “strengthen” Russia’s sovereignty.
“This means to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities and external security,” he said.
Another priority, he added, will be “safeguarding the rights of citizens”, despite Moscow unleashing a far-reaching crackdown on dissent at home as troops fight in Ukraine.
Katrine Dige Houmøller, with AFP
