The West Is Going to Have to Get Used to Not Always Getting Its Way - Putin’s Remarks on Sanctions
— Vladimir Vladimirovich, this year, we have received more questions regarding relations with the West. And I have to say that people aren't simply concerned, they also sound upset. I'm going to quote one of the common questions we've received.
"I feel like Russia's being accused of literally everything. Sanctions have become the primary method of communication with Russia. What can we do when no one wants to listen to our arguments and, most importantly, when it feels like our arguments will never be heard".
President Putin: I've been watching the screens on both sides. One of the questions I saw on the screen was "Accusations against Russia seem endless. How much longer until the situation improves?" As you can see, it's the same type of question. What can I say? I've commented on this matter before, so I'm just going to repeat that, just like the notorious sanctions, these methods are seen as a way of containing Russia. Those endless accusations allow the West to take containment measures against Russia's development. At least that's what people using those methods believe. Why are they doing it? Because they see Russia as a threat, they see Russia as a competitor. I think they're making a big mistake because rather than try to contain a country like Russia they should try to build a constructive dialogue, and that in its turn would have a highly positive impact on the global economy and the vast majority of the international community.
Our international partners are slowly starting to understand this. As you can see, politicians from many countries are now talking about the need to establish effective relations. Every country has its own interests. But countries shouldn't try to reach their goals by employing selfish policies, including in the economy. Many of our partners are starting to understand this and I hope that this process brings results.
— Vladimir Vladimirovich, could you please elaborate on when you think this negative period in our relations with the West will end? Throughout Russia's long history, there have been more periods of confrontation with western countries than there have been times of productive cooperation. What estimate can you give?
— I can't give you an estimate, but I can tell you under what circumstances it can happen. In Russia, we understand that we must protect our interests. We should do it constructively, rather than aggressively. But we must protect our interests, including those in the economy and national security spheres. We have been and will continue doing it. However, we always seek a compromise. The political pressure will come to an end once our international partners realize that their methods aren't working, that they're counterproductive and harmful to everyone, and that the rest of the world is going to have to honor Russia's interests.
— We just received a text message on a similar topic: "Will there be World War III"?
— Well, I think it was Einstein who said: "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." Understanding that World War III may put an end to our civilization should be enough to prevent us from taking drastic and extremely dangerous measures in the international arena.
By the way, ever since World War II the global world has been living in relative peace. Regional conflicts are still breaking out all over the planet: the Vietnam War, the Korean peninsula conflict, tensions in the Middle East, Iraq, Libya, etc. But there haven't been any global-scale conflicts. Why not? Because leading military powers have reached strategic parity. And, however unpleasant the following may sound, it's true. The fear of mutual destruction has always been able to prevent the international community and the leading military powers from taking aggressive actions while forcing all the parties to respect one another. The US' withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty was an attempt to break the strategic parity. But such actions do not remain without response.
As I stated in my Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly, we have been developing and employing modern weapon systems, which will definitely help us keep the parity. We need to think about it, understand it and find modern ways of interaction applicable in today's world. It's high time we sat down at the negotiating table in order to not only discuss, but also work out a strategy for effective European and international security.