Russia welcomes the number of countries that sent their representatives to the World Youth Festival in Russia, but the country is not competing with anyone, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"We are very pleased that so many representatives have arrived from almost 190 countries of the world, from all continents, but I want to emphasize that we are not competing with anyone, we do not want to prove anything to anyone," Putin said at meeting with the festival participants.
The president did not rule out the possibility of organizing new youth festivals similar to the World Youth Festival 2024 in Russia, adding that non-state forms of contact between countries can create conditions for equalizing relations at the state level as well.
Putin further stressed that there are no equal conditions for everyone in the world, noting that this is “the main injustice” of the current world order. Moreover, there is no place for the exclusivity or segregation of anyone, he said.
The Russian president also paid special attention to the issues of global affairs and answered the questions of the festival participants.
Putin spoke about Washington's policy, noting that the monopoly of the United States is disliked by the vast majority of countries, including US allies.
"While strengthening this monopoly, it [United States] very quickly faced the fact that the vast majority of countries in the world do not really like it, and implicitly, gradually everyone saw that resistance to such an emerging world order was growing," the leader said.
It is impossible to deny that the United States is a superpower, the president added.
"The United States is a huge and unique country, in its own way. But for a little over 300 years ... it has turned into a superpower. This is an obvious fact," Putin said.
Putin also wondered if the United States is allowed to defend its national interests through military action, why can't other countries do the same?
In addition, the president touched upon the West's and Russia's approach towards Africa, noting that the Western countries' attitude towards the continent is unfair and that everything must be done to change the current situation.
"Why are such conditions being created for Africa today, imposing such financial obligations? Of course, this does not mean that we should always follow the path of resistance and struggle for our interests by armed means, but we must do everything to change the current situation, make it much more fair, understandable and transparent, which means more stable," Putin noted.
He added that the prosperity of the West is largely based on the exploitation of other nations, including Africa.
Speaking about Moscow's relations with the continent, the president said that none of the African leaders have directly asked Russia for anything, but Moscow is ready to help.
"In the course of numerous contacts with African leaders, even from those countries where the economic situation is very difficult, and people live very hard, often malnourished, none of them, none - I want to emphasize this - asked for anything directly," Putin said, adding that the leaders only talk about establishing fair and honest economic cooperation, and Russia is ready to support them.
Putin added that Africa is actively developing, wants to be independent and does not respond to attempts by Western countries to make it difficult for the continent's leaders to visit Russia.
The Russian president noted that countries with developing economies try to make some changes in the global economic order year after year, but they are blocked at almost every step.
"At this forum, for example, my African colleagues mentioned that they now have such a total debt, which by definition is impossible to repay. It is impossible to repay it," Putin said.
'Fundamental Changes' in Europe
Despite the hierarchy in the Western world, the desire for autonomy and the desire to protect sovereignty is breaking through in the countries of Europe, it is inevitable, the Russian leader said.
"Now we hear that Europe should already have its own armed forces, that Europe should be more independent - this is not me talking, this is European politicians talking, which means that despite the well-known hierarchy in the Western world, the desire for independence and defense of its sovereignty is still breaking through to the surface," Putin remarked.
He added that Germany's deep national interests will sooner or later lead to politicians who want to join forces between Russia and Germany.
In the process of building a multipolar world, "fundamental changes" will take place throughout Europe, Putin explained.
Russia and the Balkan Countries
Montenegro has always been a country close to Russia, Russia understands its current situation, and Podgorica's joining the sanctions is a purely populist thing, the Russian president noted.
"You know, Montenegro has always been a state close to us, and the people who live there are close to us both in faith and culture. We understand the situation Montenegro is in now, so as you understand, joining the sanctions has no effect on us, it's all purely populist stuff," Putin said.
Commenting on Russia's relations with another Balkan country, Serbia, the president noted that the countries' relations are of a special nature and that the Serbs have been Russia's most reliable allies for centuries.
Ukrainian Conflict
The reunification of Russia and Ukraine on a spiritual level is inevitable, but it is being hindered by disgusting manifestations of nationalism, Vladimir Putin pointed out, stressing that everything that hinders it should be eradicated.
He added that today in Ukraine people who collaborated with the Nazis during the Great Patriotic War are elevated to the rank of national heroes, and this is what Russia is fighting against.
The president also spoke about the shelling of peaceful objects by the Ukrainian military, multiple rocket launcher attacks on squares and civilians in Russia's city of Belgorod, calling it a war crime and adding that Russia will not leave those who did it alone.
BRICS as a Powerful Association
Today BRICS is a powerful association that attracts many countries, President Putin noted.
"Today, BRICS is a powerful, serious association, a magnet that attracts many countries of the world. Indeed, these countries are gaining momentum today. Now the global GDP of the BRICS countries is larger than the GDP of the G7. And it will further increase," he stressed.
Putin also noted that BRICS was emerging in Russia, with other countries gradually joining. According to the president, Russia will do its utmost to ensure that young people can take part in BRICS discussions.
In addition to serious issues of international relations, the Russian leader also made room for humor, answering funny questions from the festival participants.
For example, a participant from Uganda, Davis Akumpurira, asked the Russian leader to accept him as his son, to which Putin responded with paternal concern: "What can I say, son?"
In addition, the Italian guest Ciro Cerullo asked the head of state for a joint photo to "show in Italy that Putin is real." "Aren’t you going to pinch?" - joked the president.
The World Youth Festival, held from March 1 to 7 in the Russian federal territory of Sirius, is a platform for open dialogue and exchange of opinions, where everyone can express their point of view and be heard, unite to solve social problems and help each other to build a just world.
Sputnik is the information partner of the World Youth Festival.