Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a recent congress of the ruling United Russia party, vowed to transform Russia into a "sovereign, self-sufficient" state amid escalating tensions with the West, The Moscow Times reports.
This declaration came during his first campaign speech as he prepares to run for president again in the upcoming March election, a move expected to extend his rule until at least 2030.
Putin, who has been in power since 2000, emphasized the importance of sovereignty, a term he plans to make a central goal of his fifth term in the Kremlin. "We must remember and never forget and tell our children:
Russia will be either a sovereign, self-sufficient state, or it will not be there at all," Putin stated, underscoring the criticality of independence in his vision for Russia's future.
The Russian leader's commitment to self-determination comes over two years after Moscow's offensive in Ukraine, which triggered extensive rounds of Western sanctions against Russia.
Putin asserted that Russia would make decisions independently, without external influence, and criticized the West for attempting to undermine Russian sovereignty. "We will only make decisions ourselves without foreign tips from abroad," he told party members, receiving applause for his remarks.
In his speech, Putin also took a strong stance against external dependencies, asserting that Russia would not compromise its sovereignty for economic benefits and would not become a satellite of any other nation. The 71-year-old leader accused the West of trying to "sow internal troubles" in Russia but claimed that such tactics had failed.
Putin acknowledged the significant challenges and "historic tasks" ahead for Russia, emphasizing the need for continued efforts in the interest of the nation. He noted that there is still much to do for Russia's benefit and underlined the importance of addressing these tasks.
As the election approaches, all of Putin's political opponents are either imprisoned or in exile, and criticism of Moscow's campaign in Ukraine has been banned, highlighting the controlled political landscape in Russia.
Putin's message is clear: he envisions a Russia that is self-reliant and autonomous, steering its course independent of external pressures.
