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Highlights From Russian President Putin's Address to Parliament
Highlights From Russian President Putin's Address to Parliament
Sputnik Africa
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual address to the country's parliament, the Federal Assembly, in which he outlined the main... 29.02.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-02-29T17:19+0100
2024-02-29T17:19+0100
2024-02-29T17:55+0100
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Russia will do everything to eradicate Nazism and solve all the tasks of the special military operation in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.He added that the absolute majority of Russians have supported the special military operation in Ukraine and "are constantly confirming it by striving to do as much as possible for the country and the common good."The president also declared a moment of silence for the soldiers who lost their lives during the special military operation.The Russian citizens will defend together their right to live in peace and the right to choose their own path, the leader underlined.The Russian president also said that Russia would not allow anyone to interfere in the country's internal affairs, adding that the Russian government remains committed to guarding the nation's sovereignty and further developing its democratic institutions.Continuing with the theme of the West, the President emphasized that the consequences of a possible NATO intervention in Ukraine will be very tragic for those troops that may be deployed there.The president also described as "nonsense" the statements made in the West about Russia's alleged intention to attack Europe.For Russia, it is necessary to seriously strengthen military units in the Western strategic direction to neutralize NATO threats, the leader noted.Putin went on to say that the West's dangerous foreign policy actions and statements threaten nuclear conflict and the destruction of civilization.In addition, the Russian president called recent claims that Russia is trying to deploy nuclear weapons in space "baseless," adding that all these accusations are false and are only needed to drag the country into negotiations favorable to the United States.He also revealed that it is "hypocrisy" for the West to talk about strategic stability while openly seeking to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield.The leader also dismissed Washington's claims that it was ready to engage in talks on strategic stability with Russia as an act of presidential campaigning that aimed at proving that the United States still had everything under control.Putin's Words on Russian ArmamentThe president said in his address that Russia possesses weapons that are capable of reaching targets in Western countries.While making allegations about some Russian plans to attack Europe, the Western countries themselves are projecting what targets to hit on the Russian territory and what weapons to use for it, the head of state added.He also pointed out that the West is trying to drag Russia into an arms race, to repeat what happened with the Soviet Union in the 1980s. The West provoked conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East and continues to lie, Putin added.Moreover, the President revealed that Russia's strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness.Apart from that, Avangard intercontinental-range hypersonic units and Peresvet laser systems are on combat duty, and tests of the Burevestnik unlimited-range cruise missile and the Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle are being completed, the head of state disclosed.The Russian military will soon demonstrate new Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missiles on combat duty, the leader added.This first of all concerns the general-purpose forces, the principles of their organization, the supply of unmanned attack systems, air defense and electronic warfare systems, reconnaissance and communications, high-precision and other means of defeat, he added.The Russian armed forces have gained "a colossal combat experience" in terms of interoperability, training, talent acquisition and strategy, among other things, the president also noted.Russian Economy Demonstrated Flexibility, Resilience During Ukraine CrisisPresident Vladimir Putin said in his address that the Russian economy has proved its flexibility and resilience all throughout the Russian special military operation in Ukraine.He argued that in 2023 the Russian economy was growing at a higher rate than the economies of the G7 countries.The leader added that the Russian economy is becoming more diverse, technologically advanced, sustainable and non-resource-based, and will become one of the four largest in the world in the near future.The share of imports in the Russian economy should decrease to 17% of the country's GDP by 2030, Putin also said.He added that Russia should strive for self-sufficiency and competitiveness in the field of artificial intelligence, which will ensure a breakthrough in its economy and social development.By 2030, the total capacity of Russian supercomputers should be expanded at least tenfold, the Russian leader said, adding it is an "absolutely realistic goal."He added that many established monopolies and related stereotypes in the global economy are crumbling. At the same time, Russia is striving to unite the efforts of the world majority to respond to global challenges, including the rapid transformation of the world economy, trade, financial and technological markets, Putin said.Enhancing Relations With African NationsVladimir Putin spoke about Russian diplomacy, noting that Russia's dialogue with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Africa and the Arab countries is developing successfully, and that it is important to seek new points of contact in this partnership.It is also important to find new points of contact in this partnership, the president added.The head of state also noted that the share of the BRICS countries in the world economy in terms of purchasing power parity will increase to 36.6% by 2028, while the share of the G7 will decrease to 27.8%.He also touched on social issues related to the Russian society, saying that Russia chooses the path of traditional values which are actually shared by the majority of the world's population nowadays, while some countries deliberately destroy moral norms and dismantle the institution of the family.The address to the Russian Parliament was the 29th in the history of post-Soviet Russia and the 19th for President Putin.
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Highlights From Russian President Putin's Address to Parliament
17:19 29.02.2024 (Updated: 17:55 29.02.2024) Longread
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual address to the country's parliament, the Federal Assembly, in which he outlined the main directions for the country's industrial, economic and social development. Sputnik Africa highlighted the key points of the leader's speech.
Russia will do everything to eradicate Nazism and solve all the tasks of the special military operation in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Our units are firmly holding the initiative. They are advancing confidently in a number of operational directions, liberating new territories. We did not start this war in Donbass, but, as I have said many times, we will do everything to finish it, to eradicate Nazism, to solve all the tasks of the special military operation, to protect the sovereignty and security of our citizens," Putin said during his address.
He added that the absolute majority of Russians have supported the special military operation in Ukraine and "are constantly confirming it by striving to do as much as possible for the country and the common good."
The president also declared a moment of silence for the soldiers who lost their lives during the special military operation.
"I thank everyone who is now fighting for the interests of the fatherland … The entire nation bows at your feet, mourns the dead, and Russia will always remember its fallen heroes. A minute of silence is declared," he remarked.
The Russian citizens will defend together their right to live in peace and the right
to choose their own path, the leader underlined.
"We have already proved that we are capable of solving the most difficult tasks, responding to any and the most difficult challenges. For example, we repelled the aggression of international terrorism, preserved the country's unity, and did not allow it to be torn apart at the time," Putin said.
The Russian president also said that Russia would not allow anyone to interfere in the country's internal affairs, adding that the Russian government remains committed to guarding the nation's sovereignty and further developing its democratic institutions.
"The so-called West with its colonial habits has attempted to weaken Russia from within, but failed due to "miscalculations" and the firm stance and determination of the Russian multinational people," Putin added.
Continuing with the theme of the West, the President emphasized that the consequences of a
possible NATO intervention in Ukraine will be very tragic for those troops that may be deployed there.
"They started talking about the possibility of sending NATO military contingents to Ukraine, but we remember the fate of those who once sent their contingents to the territory of our country, but now the consequences for possible interventionists will be much more tragic," Putin said, adding that actions of the United States and its allies lead to "dismantling European security" thus creating risks for all sides.
The president also described as "nonsense" the statements made in the West about Russia's alleged intention to attack Europe.
For Russia, it is necessary to seriously strengthen military units in the Western strategic direction to neutralize NATO threats, the leader noted.
Putin went on to say that the West's dangerous foreign policy actions and statements threaten nuclear conflict and the destruction of civilization.
"Everything they [West] are coming up with now, what they are scaring the whole world with ... all this really threatens a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons, which means the destruction of civilization," the president stated.
In addition, the Russian president called recent claims that Russia is trying to deploy nuclear weapons in space "baseless," adding that all these accusations are false and are only needed to drag the country into negotiations favorable to the United States.
He also revealed that it is "hypocrisy" for the West to talk about
strategic stability while openly seeking to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield.
"Russia is ready for a dialog with the United States on issues of strategic stability. But here is what I would like to emphasize, esteemed colleagues, so that everyone understands me correctly. In this case, we are dealing with a state whose ruling circles are taking openly hostile actions against us. So what? They are perfectly seriously going to discuss with us issues of strategic stability, while at the same time trying to inflict on Russia what they call a strategic defeat on the battlefield. This is a prime example of such hypocrisy," the President said.
The leader also dismissed Washington's claims that it was ready to engage in talks on strategic stability with Russia as an act of presidential campaigning that aimed at proving that the United States still had everything under control.
"As the US presidential election draws near, they try to prove to their citizens and the rest [of the world] that they still have the world under control, that ‘we will seek consensus with the Russians on things that are beneficial to America’ and ignore those that are of no benefit. As they put it: ‘business as usual.’ In the latter case, they will try to deal a strategic defeat to Russia," he said.
Putin's Words on Russian Armament
The president said in his address that Russia possesses weapons that are capable of reaching targets in Western countries.
"In the end, they [the West] should realize that we also have weapons — they actually do know about it, I only just have said it — weapons that can hit targets on their territory," Putin noted.
While making allegations about some Russian plans to attack Europe, the Western countries themselves are projecting what targets
to hit on the Russian territory and what weapons to use for it, the head of state added.
He also pointed out that the West is trying to drag Russia into an arms race, to repeat what happened with the Soviet Union in the 1980s. The West provoked conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East and continues to lie, Putin added.
Moreover, the President revealed that Russia's strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness.
"Strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness for guaranteed use. Everything we planned in the armament sector, which I spoke about in the 2018 address, is done or this work is being completed," Putin said.
Apart from that, Avangard intercontinental-range hypersonic units and Peresvet laser systems
are on combat duty, and tests of the Burevestnik unlimited-range cruise missile and the Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle are being completed, the head of state disclosed.
The Russian military will soon demonstrate new Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missiles on combat duty, the leader added.
"It is important for us to increase the pace of solving social, demographic, infrastructure and other tasks and at the same time reach a qualitatively new level of equipment of the army and navy," Putin said.
This first of all concerns the general-purpose forces, the principles of their organization, the supply of unmanned attack systems, air defense and electronic warfare systems, reconnaissance and communications, high-precision and other means of defeat, he added.
"There is a serious need to strengthen the groupings in the Western strategic direction in order to neutralize the threats associated with the next eastward expansion of NATO, drawing Sweden and Finland into the alliance," Putin said.
The Russian armed forces have gained "a colossal combat experience" in terms of interoperability, training, talent acquisition and strategy, among other things, the president also noted.
Russian Economy Demonstrated Flexibility, Resilience During Ukraine Crisis
President Vladimir Putin said in his address that the Russian economy has proved its flexibility and resilience all throughout the Russian special military operation in Ukraine.
He argued that in 2023 the Russian economy was growing at a higher rate than the economies of the G7 countries.
"Last year, the Russian economy was growing at a rate higher than the global one. On this measure, we pulled ahead not only the leading European Union countries, but also all the countries of the so-called G7," Putin said.
The leader added that the Russian economy is becoming more diverse,
technologically advanced, sustainable and non-resource-based, and will become one of the four largest in the world in the near future.
The share of imports in the Russian economy should decrease to 17% of the country's GDP by 2030, Putin also said.
Moreover, Russia has retained its dominant position in the global wheat market and remains one of the world's top 20 food exporters, according to the head of state.
He added that Russia should strive for self-sufficiency and competitiveness in the field of artificial intelligence, which will ensure a breakthrough in its economy and social development.
By 2030, the total capacity of Russian supercomputers should be expanded at least tenfold, the Russian leader said, adding it is an "absolutely realistic goal."
He added that many established monopolies and related stereotypes in the global economy are crumbling. At the same time, Russia is striving to unite the efforts of the world majority to respond to global challenges, including the rapid transformation of the world economy, trade, financial and technological markets, Putin said.
Enhancing Relations With African Nations
Vladimir Putin spoke about
Russian diplomacy, noting that Russia's dialogue with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Africa and the Arab countries is developing successfully, and that it is important to seek new points of contact in this partnership.
"We see great prospects in building a large Eurasian partnership in conjunction with integration processes within the Eurasian Economic Union and China's Belt and Road Initiative. Russia's dialog with ASEAN is developing positively. The Russia-Africa summits have become a real breakthrough. The African continent is more and more loudly asserting its interests and its right to genuine sovereignty. We sincerely support all these aspirations. Russia has a long history of good relations with Arab states," Putin said in his address.
It is also important to find new points of contact in this partnership, the president added.
The head of state also noted that the share of the BRICS countries in the world economy in terms of purchasing power parity will increase to 36.6% by 2028, while the share of the G7 will decrease to 27.8%.
He also touched on social issues related to the Russian society, saying that Russia chooses the path of
traditional values which are actually shared by the majority of the world's population nowadays, while some countries deliberately destroy moral norms and dismantle the institution of the family.
"We can see what is going on in some countries, where moral norms and family institutions are being deliberately destroyed, entire nations are being pushed to extinction. We chose life. Russia has been and remains a stronghold of the traditional values on which human civilization is built. Our choice is shared by the majority of people in the world, including millions of people in Western countries," he emphasized.
The address to the Russian Parliament was the 29th in the history of post-Soviet Russia and the 19th for President Putin.
