Vladimir Putin / Declared ready for dialogue with the US but on Russia’s terms

Her his annual address to Russian citizens and not only about the state of the country, he spoke on Thursday Russian President Vladimir Putinwhile the March presidential elections are approaching.

Among other things, Putin sent clear messages both to the citizens of Russia and to governments in the West:

About the invasion of Ukraine: The operation to completely “neutralize the Nazis” has the support of the majority of citizens and will continue. Russian forces are advancing on a series of points on the front. Russia did not start the 2014 war, but “will do everything to end it.”

For peace talks: Moscow is ready for dialogue with Washington on strategic stability, but will not be dragged into it. Such dialogue with the US will in any case include the national security issues raised by Russia. “Without a strong Russia, robust international security is impossible.”

For the attitude of the West: Western countries sought to destabilize Russia and weaken it from within, but miscalculated their plans.

For the enlargement of NATO: After the accession of Finland and Sweden, the Western Military Sector of Russia, which borders the former, will be strengthened.

For equipment scaling: Drawing a comparison to the 1980s that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union, Putin argued that the West is seeking to exhaust Russia economically through an arms rally, using the same “trick”. However, Russian industry is already preparing a series of new “very promising weapons systems”, while the new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles have already been delivered to the armed forces.

For equipment in space: There is no basis for US announcements and leaks about Russian nuclear weapons in space, now or in the future.

For the Russian economy: Current performance is better than the G7 countries and the goal is to double the minimum wage by 2030.

For the international economy: Russia’s aim is to create a new international economic edifice free of politics, with “friendly countries”, in an indirect reference to the BRICS.

For international diplomacy: Moscow will seek even closer relations with Arab countries as well as with countries in Latin America.

For social norms: Russia promotes “traditional” principles and will seek to make large families the norm in order to support itself demographically.