5 strong decisions of Mr. Putin in 2017?

(Baonghean.vn) - In 2017, Russia faced many difficulties, but under the leadership of President Putin, Russia achieved successes in all aspects of domestic and foreign affairs, helping Russia regain its position in the international arena.

1. Commitment not to amend the Constitution

President Vladimir Putin during a conversation in Sochi. Photo: AP

Mr Putin said he could stay in office for at least another six years. His term ends in the March 2018 election, but he is expected to run for re-election and serve another term.

Mr. Putin served as President of Russia for two consecutive terms, from 2000 to 2008, and then as Prime Minister for one term from 2008 to 2012. He is currently nearing the end of his third term, which began in 2012.

However, Mr Putin pledged not to amend the Russian constitution to allow him to remain president indefinitely. "I had the opportunity, I was even offered to change the constitution. But I did not do it, and I do not intend to do it in the future," Mr Putin was quoted by the Independent as saying.

2. Russia responds diplomatically to the US

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and US President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Russia-US relations in 2017 were said to be at their worst since the Cold War. Both sides continuously expelled each other's diplomats and made strong statements of criticism. Accordingly, on July 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved sanctions proposed by the Russian Foreign Ministry, thereby responding proportionately to the aggressive actions that Washington imposed on Moscow.

Specifically, Russia has asked the US to reduce the number of diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people. Moscow has given Washington a deadline of September 1 to comply with the request.

Analysts say that President Putin's decision is a move that shows that the Moscow government is ready to respond appropriately to anything that Washington does that goes against Russia's interests in the Russia-US bilateral relationship.

3. Mr. Putin is ready to respond if the US violates the Nuclear Treaty.

President Putin: Russian missile technology is on par with the US.

At the Valdai Forum on October 19 in Sochi (Russia), Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed that he would respond immediately and proportionately if the US withdrew from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

Earlier, US officials accused Russia of developing missiles and violating a 1987 treaty between the two countries. Russia denied the accusation. The 1987 treaty was signed by US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to ensure that both countries reduce the number of intermediate-range ballistic and cruise missiles.

President Putin affirmed that Russia's missiles have now caught up with the US and is ready to respond if the US withdraws from this important treaty. Mr. Putin has affirmed that Moscow is ready to develop nuclear and non-nuclear missiles if other countries make similar moves.

4. Organize shuttle diplomacy activities on Syria

Iranian President Rouhani, Russian President Putin and Turkish President Erdogan attend a press conference in Sochi. Photo: Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin

Since its military intervention in Syria in September 2015, Russia has never had such intense diplomatic activities to resolve the Syrian crisis as it does now.

On November 20, President Putin received and held talks with the Syrian President in Sochi. During the talks with the Syrian President, Mr. Putin emphasized that the most important thing now is to move on to political issues.

On November 21, President Putin had a phone call with US President Donald Trump. President Putin emphasized that the solution to the political crisis in Syria must be based on the principle of respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of this country.

On November 22, 2017, at Russia's initiative, the first ever Trilateral Summit with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Turkish President Raphaëp Tayeb Erdogan was held in the Russian city of Sochi.

5. Declaration of participation in the 2018 Presidential election

Putin submits re-election application in Moscow. Photo: AFP.

On December 6, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially announced that he will continue to run for President in the 2018 election. Mr. Putin made the above statement at a meeting with veterans and senior officials of the GAZ automobile factory in Nizhny Novgorod city.

President Putin said: "Yes, I will run for President of the Russian Federation". Mr. Putin affirmed that the country will only move forward and no force can ever stop Russia on that path.Immediately afterwards, on December 19, President Putin announced the contents of what is considered the first election platform in the 2018 Russian presidential election.

December 27,Russia's Central Election Commission has accepted Mr Putin's documents. They have five days to examine them and make a final decision on his candidacy, according toReuters./.

Peace

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