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Russian President Vladimir Putin during his speech at the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg
Photo: MAXIM SHEMETOV / REUTERS
During a speech at the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin rhetorically attacked the West.
In particular, he has strongly criticized Western sanctions against his country and Western countries' geopolitics.
The US acted as if it had been sent to earth by God with sacred interests, the Russian ruler said.
They didn't take into account "that there are other strong centers in the world." He also criticized the West as a whole: "Our Western colleagues still think in terms of the last century, they treat other countries like colonies," Putin continued.
He also threatened massive changes in the world order: »Nothing in international politics will be the same,« he said.
Attack on Western sanctions
Putin also spoke at length on economic issues and denounced the West's sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
Despite the measures taken by Western countries, the Russian economy remains robust.
Attempts to weaken them have failed, Putin said.
The West's economic "lightning war" against Russia has no chance of success.
"We're strong people and we can take on any challenge," he said.
Putin has called the sanctions imposed by Western states in response to Russia's attack on Ukraine "insane" and "thoughtless."
The punitive measures also hit the EU hard.
He estimated the damage to Europe at $400 billion.
Putin sees no responsibility on Russia for rising inflation
Putin sees no responsibility in Russia for rising global inflation.
There's a lot of talk in the West of "Putin inflation," he said, but Russia's "operation in the Donbass" — as he called the war of aggression against Ukraine — has nothing to do with it.
The US is to blame for this: The United States would press money and buy big in the food markets.
The Kremlin chief added that Russia does not impede grain supplies from Ukraine.
"We didn't mine the ports," he said.
If Kyiv decides to clear the mines, Moscow will ensure the safety of exports, Putin said.
However, according to the Russian President, Ukrainian grain deliveries are insignificant for the world market.
It's about five to six million tons of wheat and about the same amount of corn.
That is irrelevant for the world market, he said.
Western sanctions against Russia would have a much greater impact on rising food prices.
The export of fertilizers in particular endangers future harvests and thus continues to drive up prices, he warned.
Since the beginning of the war in late February, Ukraine, which is the world's fourth largest grain exporter, has been stuck on its own stocks.
The West blames Moscow for the looming food crisis in large parts of the world because Russian forces have either occupied or are blockading Ukrainian ports.
Invasion of Ukraine for Putin "no alternative"
Putin described the invasion of Ukraine as having no alternative: "In the current situation, against the background of increasing risks and threats for us, Russia's decision to carry out a special military operation was (...) forced and necessary," he said.
The West previously "literally pumped up Ukraine with its weapons and its military advisers," said the Kremlin chief.
Putin went on to say: "The decision is aimed at protecting our citizens and residents of the people's republics in Donbass who have been subjected to genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years."
The head of the Kremlin had previously accused Ukraine of "genocide" against Russian-speaking people in recent years - without presenting any evidence.
Moscow also justifies the war against the neighboring country with the alleged “liberation” of Ukraine from “neo-Nazis”.
On June 9, Putin then placed the war he had ordered against Ukraine on the same level as the Great Northern War under Russia's Tsar Peter I and spoke of a return campaign for Russian soil.
Peter didn't conquer the area around today's metropolis of St. Petersburg from the Swedes, but rather won it back.
"Apparently it is also our lot: to bring back and strengthen," Putin drew parallels to the war against Kyiv.
threats against Europe
Putin also threatened political consequences in Europe.
The “real” interests of the people of Europe are currently being sidelined.
This will lead to more radicalism and "elite changes" in Europe.
The European Union has lost its "political sovereignty".
The Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is an annual gathering of economic actors from different countries.
It is organized by the Russian government and is taking place for the 25th time this year.
col/Reuters/dpa