Putin: New world order with a weaker West

 

TT

 

Published 19:02 | Updated 19:26

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin during his speech. Photo: Pavel Bednyakov/AP/TT

Global tensions will subside as the hegemony of Western nations declines. This is the claim made by Vladimir Putin in a speech.

"Globally, the situation will change for the better with a more stable and democratic world order," the Russian president said.

In a long and sweeping speech at the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow, Vladimir Putin warned the West against attacking the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad—stating that Russia would respond if they did.

"It is inevitable," he said.

The warning followed NATO military exercises along the border with Kaliningrad—exercises Moscow has labeled "provocative."

"We have no intention of attacking anyone, whether in 2029, 2030, or 2050. But if we face aggression, we will have to respond. The citizens of European countries need to clearly understand what this entails," he said.

"Ridiculous" ceasefire proposal

In the same vein, he rejected a proposal for a ceasefire regarding long-range strikes in the war in Ukraine.

"It has been suggested that they stop attacking our refineries and we stop attacking their ships. Frankly, it is ridiculous," he said, adding a curt "no"—according to the news agency AFP—when asked for his response to the proposal. 

In a rambling speech that touched on a wide range of topics, Putin also warned of the dangers of AI—"digital totalitarianism"—and criticized the UN for failing to reflect the realities of the modern world.

Naive Soviet leaders

However, the focus remained on Russia and the nation's place in the world.

Modern-day Russia is the product of Soviet leadership that was "naive and reckless" when, at the time of the Union's dissolution, it trusted the West's promises, the president said.

"The collapse of the Soviet Union was a genuine tragedy for tens of millions who found themselves on the wrong side of the border overnight," he asserted, yet—according to Tass—he still extended an olive branch to the West: "Let us live in harmony."

However, shortly thereafter came a warning against attacking Kaliningrad; citing the state news agency Tass, he stated:

"Escalation is never one-sided, and a point of no return can be reached very quickly and unexpectedly for everyone."