PNN – In response to his American counterpart’s claim that Russia is a “paper tiger,” Vladimir Putin pointed out that his country’s armed forces are the most powerful armies and said: “When Russia successfully confronts the entire NATO, it is difficult to call it a “paper tiger.”
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, citing the TASS news agency, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced last night, Thursday, at the plenary session of the 22nd annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi, that without Russian oil, the situation in the global energy market would become unstable.
Emphasizing that removing Russian oil from the global market would immediately cause prices to rise above $100 per barrel, he said: It is unthinkable that eliminating the volume of, say, Russian oil could maintain normalcy in the global energy market and the global economy. If we assume that it is possible to eliminate Russian producers and traders, who supply a significant part of the oil on the world market, prices would immediately skyrocket. Everything would immediately cross the $100 mark.
According to Putin, Russia’s absence from the global energy arena will be detrimental to countries with weaker economies.
At the same time, the Russian president added that the international energy sector will remain stable anyway, as energy demand and consumption are increasing. He explained: I am convinced that the international energy sector will continue to operate and operate stably. As the global economy grows, the need for primary energy resources will increase, and thus, international markets will inevitably consume these resources.
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Putin hints at India’s stance on Russian oil imports
Vladimir Putin noted that refusing to import Russian oil would hurt India as much as secondary US sanctions would if such a decision were not made. He explained: If India gives up our energy resources, then it will suffer a certain loss. And if it does not give up, then sanctions will be imposed in the form of high tariffs and it will suffer again. How much will it be? The same amount. So why should it give up?
He added that India and China will not allow themselves to be treated in a humiliating manner like European countries.
Putin’s firm response to Trump’s remarks about Russia being a “paper tiger”
Vladimir Putin also emphasized that when Russia confidently confronts NATO, it can hardly be called a “paper tiger.”
The Russian president made these remarks in response to US President Donald Trump’s comments, which claimed that Russia was a “paper tiger.” Putin said: If we are engaged with the entire NATO bloc and we are moving forward confidently, making progress and standing in full force against them, and if in this situation we are considered a “paper tiger”, and then what does NATO itself represent?
Putin explained that the Russian Armed Forces are superior to others in terms of manpower training, technical capabilities, skill in employing these capabilities, as well as the ability to modernize and send new models of weapons to combat lines of contact. They are also the best in terms of combat combat tactics, and the country’s defense industry has quickly adapted to various challenges.
According to him, the Russian army is advancing along almost all lines of contact in the conflict zone, and its actions are “coordinated, calm and according to plan.”
Putin considers restoring relations with the US in line with Russia’s national interests
Vladimir Putin also noted that restoring relations with the United States is in Russia’s national interests. He emphasized that Moscow has realized that the current US administration acts primarily based on its own national interests. Putin said: I believe that this is a rational approach. But in this case, Russia also has the right to act based on its national interests. And of course, one of these interests, by the way, is the restoration of full relations with the United States.
Putin: Discussions on the fate of the START Treaty are a difficult topic
In his speech, the Russian President also stated that the negotiation of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) is not an easy matter. According to Putin, even if the United States agrees to the Russian proposal, it is difficult to predict the future situation related to the treaty and he only knows the forecast for next year. He added that Russia has not deployed any tactical weapons anywhere except Belarus, while the United States does so “all over the world and all over Europe.”
Putin noted that there are people in the United States who deny the need to extend the START treaty. According to him, “If they don’t need this agreement, we don’t need it either. On the whole, everything is going well with us.”
Putin calls EU a ‘declining center’
The Russian president believes that the European Union is a powerful civilizational center, but it is in decline. According to Putin, this trend is not even due to the obvious economic recession in Europe, especially in Germany, which has been going on for several years and is predicted for next year. He explained that the “decline” of the European Union is caused by the loss of fundamental elements associated with “European identity”.
According to Putin, if the “weakening of fundamental values and foundations” continues, the European Union “will gradually collapse and fade away in the same way.”
Putin promises Russia’s swift response to any threat
Vladimir Putin stressed that Russia will respond quickly to any threat against it. He said: If anyone wants to challenge us in the military sphere – as they say in our country, whoever wants, in the name of God. Russia has proven many times: when there is a threat to our security, the peace and tranquility of our citizens, the sovereignty, and even the very existence of our country, we respond quickly.
Putin noted that provocation of Russia is wrong. According to him, there has never been a case when such provocations did not end to the detriment of the provocateur himself, adding that no exceptions should be expected in the future. He emphasized: Russia will never show weakness or hesitation.
Putin calls Sweden and Finland joining NATO ‘stupidity’
The Russian president has stressed that Sweden and Finland joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was a “stupid” move. Putin stressed that Russia has never had any problems in its relations with either Finland or Sweden. According to him, Russia has never deployed armed forces on its border with Finland, but now these forces will be deployed in that area.