Putin: “A strong player appeared, but people did not want that”
Speaking to the press, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the sanctions against the country were related to Moscow's growing power and competitiveness.
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| Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs his annual major press conference. Photo: Sputnik |
"Why is this happening?" Mr Putin asked, responding to the sanctions against Moscow over its power.
"With the country's increasing competitiveness. The emergence of a strong player, we have to take this into account, while people do not want that," President Putin commented.
"Just recently people thought that this country would no longer exist, but it still exists and we have to consider relations with it," Putin said in response to a question about sanctions against Russia.
