Defiant Putin insists Russia ‘has not lost anything’ from sanctions
As his forces struggle in Ukraine and his economy strains under sanctions, President Vladimir Putin of Russia struck a defiant tone Wednesday, arguing that the West had failed in its “economic, financial and technological aggression” and that his country had only gained from the global furor over his invasion.
“We have not lost anything and will not lose anything,” Putin said at an economic conference in the far eastern Russian city of Vladivostok.
And he insisted that the invasion, now in its seventh month, had raised Moscow’s international stature and that a crackdown on dissent was cleansing Russia of “harmful” elements, including journalists who have left the country since the conflict began.
“Of course, a certain polarization is taking place — both in the world and within the country — but I believe that this will only be beneficial,” Putin said. “Because everything that is unnecessary, harmful and everything that prevents us from moving forward will be rejected.”
Putin’s remarks came as his forces face an increasingly difficult situation at the front lines in Ukraine, where they have been unable to capture a major town for more than two months. Ukraine is mounting a counteroffensive that its officials contend is showing initial signs of success.
“All of our actions aim to help people who live in Donbas,” Putin said, referring to the region of eastern Ukraine that his forces have sought to conquer, vowing to fulfill this “duty to the end.”
The Russian president sought to radiate confidence that the West’s efforts to isolate Moscow were doomed. Participating in an onstage panel with the leader of Myanmar and the prime minister of Mongolia, and with the third-highestranking member of the Chinese Communist Party, he indicated that Russia could shift its trade flows toward Asia.
“No matter how much someone wants to isolate Russia, it is impossible to do,” Putin said. “You just need to look at the map.”
Putin also said he would meet next week with an increasingly important ally, President Xi Jinping of China, as the Russian leader tries to expand economic ties with Asia to counteract the effects of Western penalties.
In other developments:
• Shelling resumed near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, a day after the U.N. atomic watchdog agency pressed for a safe zone there to prevent a catastrophe.
In Enerhodar, where the power plant is located, Dmytro Orlov, the pre-occupation mayor, reported the city had come under Russian attack for a second time Wednesday and was without power.
The Russian side blamed the Ukrainians.
• North Korea is apparently moving to sell millions of rockets and artillery shells to Russia. Russia has called a U.S. intelligence report on the purchasing plan “fake.” But U.S. officials say it shows Russia’s desperation.
The ammunition North Korea reportedly intends to sell to Moscow are likely copies of Soviet-era weapons that can fit Russian launchers.