Hybrid Warfare Has Been Unleashed Against Russia, President Putin Says

A hybrid war is ongoing against Russia at the moment, the Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Now, in fact, a hybrid war is being waged against us, illegitimate sanctions against Russia are being used on an unprecedented scale," the Russian president said.

According to the president, "Anti-Russia" has long been created out of Ukraine near Russia's borders, in order to curb the development of the Russian Federation, and neo-Nazi ideology has been indulged in there.

"For a long time outside forces have been implementing a project near our borders to make our neighboring country Ukraine into a virtually hostile state - "Anti-Russia. It has been pumped with weapons for eight years, condoned aggression against the peaceful population of Donbas, and indulged in all kinds of indulgence in planting neo-Nazi ideology. And all this was done to jeopardize Russia's security, to hinder the development of our country," Putin said.

Russia's Special Operation in Ukraine

Kiev Orders Military to Continue Offensive at West's Request Despite Casualties: Russian MoD

3 July 2023, 11:53

The head of state stressed that Russia confidently resists and will resist external pressure, sanctions and provocations.

The Russian people, as Putin noted, "are more consolidated than ever, united and highly responsible for the fate of the fatherland."

Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Putin told the SCO that it plays a more important role in maintaining stability on the world stage, at a time when "more and more geopolitical differences appear in the world, and the global security is deteriorating."

"This is especially significant in the current conditions, when geopolitical contradictions are becoming more acute. The degradation of the international security system continues," the Russian leader noted, adding that the SCO member states will increase security cooperation.

According to the head of state, the SCO is committed to creating a fair and just world order with the central role of the United Nations.

"Our organization is firmly committed to building a truly just and multipolar world order. A world order based on international law, on the universally recognized principles of mutually respectful cooperation of sovereign states with the central coordinating role of the United Nations," the leader noted.

The president added that Russia supports the SCO’s draft joint declaration, which "reflects consolidated approaches to international issues."

Putin also thanked the SCO countries for their support in protecting the constitutional order of the Russian Federation during the June 24 events in Russia.

"We highly appreciate this, we intend to further deepen ties with the SCO members. These ties are becoming stronger and more multifaceted," the president said.

In this vein, Putin noted that Russia is convinced that Belarus' accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will have a positive impact on its activities and advocates a speedy completion of the process of Russia's ally membership in the association.

The Russian president also addressed the issue of settlements in national currencies, pointing out that more than 80% of trade between Russia and China is carried out in rubles and yuan.

Russia-China Trade Expanding Despite Attempts by Other Countries to Interfere: Lavrov

27 June 2023, 08:48

Putin concluded his speech by inviting the SCO countries to the Festival of Youth and Students in the Russian city of Sochi, which will be held from March 1 to 7, 2024.