Putin says Russia will overcome ‘illegal’ sanctions

International Desk, Mar 10 (EFE).- Russian president Vladimir Putin on Thursday dismissed Western economic sanctions as “illegal” and insisted Moscow would be able to overcome any issues arising from them.

“We, together with our partners who do not recognize these illegal actions, will certainly find a solution to all the problems they are trying to create for us,” Putin said at a government meeting.

Since Putin launched the bloody invasion of Ukraine just over two weeks ago, Western nations have imposed escalating economic sanctions on Moscow.

Despite the sanctions, Putin insisted Russia was still fulfilling its obligations to supply energy resources to Europe and elsewhere, including Ukraine.

“About those countries that are taking hostile steps towards our country and our economy, we know very well that they are calling on their citizens to tighten their belts, to dress warmer. And they talk about the sanctions they are imposing on us as the reason for the deterioration of their situation,” he said.

He continued: “It all seems very strange, especially because we are fulfilling all our obligations (…) in the field of energy supply.”

Putin also said that Russia could manage assets left behind by foreign companies across multiple sectors that have pulled out of the country.

“We are not going to close ourselves to anyone, we are open to work with all our foreign partners who wish to do so. The rights of foreign investors and colleagues who stay in Russia and work in Russia must be reliably protected,” he said.

But he added: “I ask the government not to lose sight of this, in the face of those who are going to close their production plants, here it is necessary to act decisively…. we will have to introduce external management and then transfer these companies to those who want to work.”

“There are enough legal instruments, market instruments” to achieve this, he said.

Putin also rejected the suggestion that Russia is to blame for the steep rise in oil prices in the US, pointing out it was Washington’s decision to stop importing Russian fuel. EFE

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