Putin: “Either Russia is a sovereign state, or there is no Russia”

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Sputnik/Reuters

Speaking to Chinese television, Putin said he believes the sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States, its allies and the European Union (EU) have only one purpose - to hinder the country's economic development. He continued to emphasize that sanctions and punitive measures will never be enough to force Russia to make concessions and change its policies.

“I believe that either Russia will maintain its sovereignty, or there will be no Russia at all. And, of course, the Russians will always choose the first option. I think the Chinese will do the same. We have no other choice,” Putin said.

The Russian president argued that any Western efforts to sabotage the Russian economy would ultimately backfire on those who followed the US lead in “punishing” Russia.

“The countries that follow the leadership of the United States, they themselves are starting to suffer from what the United States is doing in relation to these countries,” Putin said.

While Putin did not mention anything specifically, the US government is reportedly considering sanctions against European companies involved in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which is expected to transport 55 billion cubic meters of Russian natural gas to European consumers each year. Germany is one of the beneficiaries of the project.

Ukraine-related sanctions, imposed after Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of conflict in eastern Ukraine, are now having a negative impact on European economies. Calls for their lifting have been made by several European countries, including Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache and Italy’s new government.

In addition to the sanctions against Russia, the EU has been forced to deal with a rapid increase in import tariffs on steel and aluminum, introduced by US President Donald Trump and which took effect last week.

Noting that countries that sided with Washington on the Russia issue are now starting to feel the pain, Putin asserted that he pointed out the issue not because he wanted to rejoice at the misfortune of others, but because it proves that sanctions are detrimental to all sides, “including those who impose them.”

Speaking about the possibility of improving relations between the West and Russia, which are currently at their lowest point, Putin said he hoped for “positive” and mutually beneficial relations. “In the end, I believe that we will succeed in improving relations in one way or another,” Putin said.