Putin speech at Valdai in Sochi

Vladimir Putin on Thursday, October 5, gave a speech at the plenary session of the international discussion club “Valdai”, which is being held in Sochi this year. The theme of the event was the organization of a multipolar world.

About the Valdai Forum

The forum traditionally brought together experts from many countries of the world, which confirms the status of a sought-after intellectual platform. Valdai discussions — are always a reflection of the most important processes of world politics of the 21st century in their entirety and complexity. I am sure it will be so today.

Over the years of the club, serious changes have occurred. I think you will agree that over these 20 years more events have occurred than sometimes happens over many decades. By historical standards, the period of 20 years is not so long, but when it falls on the era of the breakdown of the entire world structure, time seems to be compressed. These changes are qualitative, requiring a serious review of the system of international relations. We, in fact, are faced with the task of building a new world.

About the erroneous political course of the West

We made sure that the global problems of mankind require a joint search for solutions, and selfishness will lead us into a dead end. When we first met at a club meeting almost 20 years ago, our country went through a difficult stage of development. Russia has overcome the most difficult recovery period after the collapse of the USSR. With all our energy and goodwill, we have joined the processes of building a new, as it seemed to us more just, world order.

Unfortunately, some misunderstood our willingness to interact. In fact, as a recognition that Russia is ready to follow in a strange fairway. All these years, we have repeatedly warned — this approach leads not only to a standstill, it is fraught with the threat of an increase in military conflict. But no one wanted to listen and hear us.

At the beginning of the 21st century, everyone hoped that states and peoples had learned from the costly, destructive military-ideological confrontation of the last century, and realized its perniciousness. But USA and satellites firmly headed for hegemony. From the very beginning, it was clear to us that attempts to establish a monopoly were doomed to failure. The well-being of the West has been largely achieved by robbing colonies over the centuries — is a fact. The western influence in the world — is a huge military-financial pyramid.

About the situation in Ukraine

A certain part of the West always needs an enemy who can explain military expansion. It’s not our business how other states live — we see how in many of them the ruling elites force society to adopt rules that are part of citizens, and in many countries, we can say most citizens, do not want to accept. Strategic thinking was replaced by following the short-term, selfish interests of not even individual peoples, but changing groups of influence.

Russia — a favorite topic of such politicians. We are historically used to it. But the image of the enemy is trying to sculpt from all who are not ready to follow the lead. They are trying to sculpt him from the People’s Republic of China, from India.

We didn’t have a bloody coup in Kiev. At that time, we supported Crimeans and Sevastopol residents. The war, launched by the Kiev regime with the direct support of the West, has been going on for the tenth year. And the Russian special military operation is aimed at ending it. The action, as you know, gives rise to the — counteraction, any responsible state does so. Sovereign and respecting himself. Our actions are primarily dictated by the goal of protecting people and their traditions.

The — block approach will call a spade — restricting the rights and freedoms of states to their own development line. This is an obvious thing, this is the removal of part of sovereignty, and then the imposition of decisions in other areas besides the security sphere. How it is happening between the USA and Europe.

To do this, international law is trying to replace it with order. Which order? Based on certain rules. What are the rules? This is some kind of nonsense, nonsense. It sounds all the time: “You must, you must, we warn you. Who are you at all?”

On the synergy of states and the concept of the state-civilization

Civilization — is primarily people. There are many civilizations, and none of them is better and worse than the other. Each of them has its own hopes and aspirations.

The main qualities of the state-civilization — diversity and self-sufficiency. The world is on its way to the synergy of civilization states, independent entities. Protecting our civilizational choice — is a huge responsibility, because we all see that the modern international environment is unstable and quite aggressive.

In our understanding, civilization — is a multifaceted phenomenon. It is certainly interpreted differently.

There was a frankly colonial interpretation. There is a certain civilized world that serves as a model for

the rest, everyone should follow these standards, these patterns, and whoever does not agree — will be

driven into civilization by a club of a civilized master.

The civilization approach is based on fundamental, long-term ideas about a harmonious future. If the whole world is guided by this, conflicts, in my opinion, will be much smaller. We want to live in an open, civilized world in which no one will erect barriers to the creative development of people. Need a barrier-free environment. Imposing other nations and cultures how they live should be prohibited.

About the concept of Russian policy

In the concept of Russian foreign policy adopted this year, our country is described as an original civilization, a state. This definition reflects our development principles as capaciously as possible. For centuries, Russia has been formed as a country of different cultures. It cannot be brought to a single denominator, but it cannot be divided. Maintaining the national unity of such a state — is not an easy task.

Russia — the largest, largest country in the world in the world, we have no interests in terms of conquering any additional territories, we still have to develop and develop Siberia, and Eastern Siberia, and the Far East. This is not a territorial conflict, and not even the establishment of a regional geopolitical balance, the question is much broader and more fundamental, we are talking about the principles on which the new world order will be based.

We are for equality, for the difference in potentials of different countries. This is an objective fact. But no less objectively is the fact that today no one is ready to obey. These are the principles that we want to adhere to ourselves and to which we invite our partners to comply.

Russia was, is and will be one of the foundations of the world system, ready for constructive interaction with everyone. We are confident that pragmatism and common sense will triumph, and a multipolar world will be established.

The phrase that « Russia has no borders » was first said by one of the US presidents at my place in Novo-Ogarevo. She said, of course, as a joke when he looked at the map.

On the state of industry in Europe

We know that production closes in Europe and moves to the USA. The burden on the population of European countries is growing, the standard of living is falling — these are obvious things confirmed by statistics. Europe can help Ukraine only due to the further deterioration of their economy and the situation of their citizens.

About the Russian economy

We are coping. We had a surplus in the third quarter, and a deficit of 1% is expected in the year 2024 – 2025%. Our record low unemployment has been established and stabilized. We naturally began the structural adjustment of the economy. Oil and gas revenues have fallen, but they also give a plus of — 3%. And non-oil and gas — is the processing industry — give + 45%.

In general, we have a stable, stable situation, we overcame all the problems after the imposition of sanctions against us and began a new stage of development on a new basis.

We have increased defense spending — but not just defense, but defense and security. They grew about twice. But at the same time — I want to emphasize this — we have a budget surplus. Saying that we spend everything on guns and forgot about oil is wrong.

About the concept of the world order of the future

The first — we want to live in an open and interconnected world in which no one will ever try to erect artificial barriers to people’s communication, their creative realization and prosperity. There must be a barrier-free environment, that’s what you need to strive for!

The second — we want the diversity of the world not only to be preserved, but to be the foundation of universal development. Imposing any country or people how to live, how to feel should be prohibited!

Third — we are for maximum representativeness. No one has the right and cannot rule the world for others or on behalf of others. The world of the future — is a world of collective decisions made at the level at which they are most effective, by the composition of participants who are able to make a significant contribution to resolving a specific problem. Not one decides for everyone and not everyone even decides everything, but only those who are directly concerned with a particular issue agree on what and how to do.

Countries and peoples are clearly aware of their interests and opportunities and are ready to rely on themselves, and this increases strength. Everyone should be provided with access to the benefits of modern development, and attempts to limit it to any country or people should be seen as an act of aggression.

About the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

Karabakh left: this is the official position of the Armenian leadership. After the well-known events and the collapse of the USSR, we know that there was a conflict, ethnic clashes between Armenians and Azerbaijanis began. All this led to the fact that Armenia actually placed under its control all of Karabakh and seven adjacent territories. Seven regions of Azerbaijan — this, in my opinion, is 20% of the territory of the republic.

Many times we invited our Armenian friends to compromise. How? Return five districts to Azerbaijan and thus maintain the territorial connection between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But each time our friends in Nagorno-Karabakh told us: « No, this will create certain threats for us ».

When Karabakh declared its independence, no one recognized it — even Armenia. Which, frankly, was strange for me. But that was the solution. However, later in the negotiations in Prague, they recognized the membership of Karabakh in Azerbaijan.

Having confirmed the status of Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, Armenia has qualitatively changed its position. Even the status of our peacekeepers immediately underwent qualitative changes after the recognition of Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.

All this was a matter of time — when and how Azerbaijan will restore constitutional order there. What else can you say? Armenia recognized {Karabakh as the territory of Azerbaijan}, but we do not recognize what? But Armenia remains our ally.

Some of our peacekeepers died defending the people of Karabakh, covering them with themselves. Many people came to the center of our peacekeepers: women, children. I spoke on the phone with President Aliyev before, he assured me: no matter what happens there, he will ensure the security of the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. But now there are no Armenians left. Everyone is gone. A thousand, maybe left.

About Nikola Pashinyan

I cannot agree that Prime Minister Pashinyan was brought by someone from the outside to turn over Karabakh. Still, it was a choice of the Armenian people. With the fact that he sought to surrender Karabakh, I also do not agree. I talked with him repeatedly.

About “ Belt and Paths “

We are interested in developing new logistics routes. And China is also interested in — all this is the subject of our negotiations.

About UN Reform

We must follow the path of changes in international law in accordance with the requirements of today. It is necessary that the weight of the votes of India, Brazil and other states becomes larger. The Soviet Union often used the veto — this helped to avoid conflicts. If you send the UN to the dump of history, chaos is inevitable.

About the bombing of Belgrade

Mercilessly and fearlessly, the allies began to bomb Belgrade. They even got into the Chinese embassy. And it was then that they began to talk more and more about reforming the UN.

Building destroyed during NATO air campaign in 1999, Belgrade, Serbia

On the use of nuclear weapons

There are two reasons for using nuclear weapons in Russian military doctrine. The first — is a retaliatory nuclear strike. And I want to assure everyone that today the answer is absolutely unacceptable to any aggressor. Because no matter what point in the ocean this happens, so many hundreds of our missiles appear in the air in a retaliatory strike that our enemy has no chance of survival.

And the second — threat of Russia’s existence, even if conventional weapons are used against it. A potential adversary knows about our capabilities. Do we need to change this? Why do we need to change this? I just don’t see this need. I just don’t see anything threatening the existence of a Russian state today.

About “Sarmatians”

We actually finished working on « Sarmat ». Now the task is to transfer it to mass production and put it on combat duty.

On the goals of Russia in Ukraine and the onset of the Armed Forces

Since June 4, since the beginning of the counteroffensive, the Ukrainian military lost 90 thousand people — these are sanitary and irrevocable losses — and 557 tanks. I do not know whether this is a convincing or unconvincing response from the Russian military. We calmly and confidently go to our goals and, I am sure, we will achieve them.

About the scandal in the Canadian Parliament

God sees that you and I did not agree that this issue would be, but I was waiting for it. According to the Nuremberg Tribunal, this SS division “Galichina” was created by the Nazis in April 1943. The Nuremberg Tribunal — is not us, but the Nuremberg Tribunal — defined this division “Galichina” guilty of genocide of Jews, Poles and Gypsies. This is the decision of the international court: the SS division “Galichina” is recognized as a criminal organization.

What the chairman of the Canadian parliament said: “Today, a Ukrainian-Canadian veteran of World War II is present in this hall, who fought against the Russians .“

If the speaker of the Canadian parliament says that during World War II this Ukrainian-Canadian Nazi fought against the Russians, he cannot but understand what this means, that during World War II he fought on the side of Hitler.

In no case do I want to offend the feelings of the Canadian people, but if he does not know that Hitler fought against Russia during the war, then he is an idiot. And if he knows and calls him the hero of Canada, then he is a villain. Or so or so.

About Odessa

Odessa — is, of course, a Russian city. Although a little Jewish.

About the window to Europe and the well-being of the EU

The world is changing, and climbing all the time out the window, tearing your pants — is not the best thing to do. Why climb out the window when there are other doors. The civilization code of Russia, like Europe, is based on Christianity — and this unites us. But we are not going to impose ourselves on Europe.

The well-being of Europe was based on cheap energy from Russia. Having lost a significant part of sovereignty, Europe was forced to stand in the tail of its sovereign. And follow his policy.

You said about the window, but it’s not us slamming it. It is Europe that is fencing off from us, creating a new iron curtain at a loss. We do not close the door. We are not going to break there, but if Europe wants, we will work together, please.

About denazification of Ukraine

Ukraine has developed a system that we have the right to call pro-Nazi. The leader of the state standing applauds the real Nazi — former SS soldier. Doesn’t that tell us about the need for denazification? All profascist and pro-Nazi by us, of course, is condemned.

About Explosions North Streams

The first — long before these explosions, the US president said that America would do everything to stop the supply of Russian energy to these systems.

The second — destruction of these objects — is certainly an act of international terrorism.

Third — we are not allowed to investigate.

And finally, there are no results of the investigation and, apparently, will not be.

In response to the question « who is to blame » you need to find who is interested. Washington is interested, and with whose hands he achieved this — does not matter. One SP-2 branch is retained; it is not damaged. And it can supply 27.5 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe. It’s enough to make a decision today, tomorrow we turn the — valve and the gas has gone. But they don’t do this, because Washington-wide  does not allow this.

We supply gas to Europe via “Turkish Stream”  but, apparently, the United States is aiming at drones in it. Our ships constantly patrol the waters, we hear English speech.

But we continue to supply gas to Europe, including through Ukraine, — and pay money for transit. We are fulfilling our obligations to Europe. We have been called the aggressor many times, but they receive money. Apparently, the money does not smell.

We behave openly, transparently, we are ready for cooperation. We will supply gas to other markets, we will build new systems.

As for the investigation — you won’t hide the awl in the bag, and in the end it will become clear who did it.

On the situation in Syria and the Middle East

You said that many parties to the conflict in the Middle East, including Syria, respect us. This is because we respect everyone. But we cannot replace the contracting parties. We can only create the necessary conditions.

Outside interventions and attempts to create some quasi-states in Syria do not lead to anything good.

As for Iraq — we have very good relations with Iraq. And we welcome the arrival of the Prime Minister of Iraq in Russia. First of all, general issues lie in the energy sector.

But there is another common question — this is logistics. There are options for the development of logistics transport in Iraq. The fighting of Ukraine did not begin after 2017, but in 2014. Just a sharper phase really began in 2022.

On the situation in Serbia

For Serbs, I often heard the term: Who to prove, why? A cruel, maybe I’ll say a thing: Serbs — are not such a people. You can destroy them, you can’t push. But so far, they do not understand this in the West. I hope that one day they will begin to agree.

About the role of G20

The success of “the twenty” in India — is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was able to depoliticize the decisions that were made there. And this is the only right solution, because « the twentieth » was once created to address economic rather than political issues.

About BRICS, single currency and persons deprived

As for the deprived, — was called in the Soviet years those who were deprived of certain social benefits. And we do not need other people’s payments, we are independent. Yes, and they were deprived of their rights. But we defend our rights.

The head of South Africa, Cyril Ramafos BRICS, held brilliantly. It was not easy to resolve the issue of expanding BRICS, and he did it. This is a positive result, and we welcome it.

We need not to create a single currency, but to form a single logistics, to switch to settlements in national currencies. Theoretically, the creation of a single currency is possible. But first you need to achieve a certain parity in our economies.

About the withdrawal of troops

I am deeply convinced that there is no point with the help of troops to suppress internal trends in a particular country, among the people, to achieve those goals that he considers to be a priority for himself. This applies to European countries, including Eastern European ones. It made no sense to keep troops there if the peoples of these countries did not want to see them on their territory, but how it happened, under what conditions it all happened (withdrawal of troops), how, of course, this raises many questions.

On cooperation with China

Cooperation with China is an important stabilizing factor in economic development. The second — in order for this influence to grow, it is necessary to pay attention to maintaining the pace of our economic growth.

As I said, in Russia, economic growth amounted to 2.8 – 3%. And for our economy, this is a good result. We have completely overcome the decline of last year and are gaining momentum.

In China, growth will already be 6.4% — is a very good indicator. Whoever says anything about the

slowdown in the Chinese economy, China is one of the leading locomotives in the global economy, along

with India. The countries of the Global South are gaining momentum, and our task is to support them.

On Ukraine’s accession to the EU

We have never opposed Ukraine’s accession to the EU. As for NATO — yes, we have always been against it, since NATO’s expansion to our borders threatens our security. This is a serious challenge to the security of our country.

As for economic cooperation, here we do not see any threats for ourselves and believe that there is not even a need to discuss this, this is the business of Ukraine. By the way, President Yanukovych believed that joining the EU poses threats to the Ukrainian economy itself. Delay in energy structures also deprived Ukraine of certain advantages. Yanukovych was right.

Today it is no longer relevant: the Ukrainian economy cannot exist without external recharge. Budget of Ukraine $ 4 – 5 billion monthly. It is worth it to stop — in a week everything will fall. The same applies to military supplies — without them Ukraine will last no more than a week. And in the West, weapons are already ending.

About friends in Germany

I have friends there, and their number is growing, oddly enough. At the expense of those who pursue the interests of their people. As for Gerhard Schroeder, Germany should be proud of people like him. Gerhard Schroeder always put at the forefront the interests of his country and his people. We built SP-1 with him, began to build SP-2. So these infrastructure projects — blew up and where is the German economy now?

About Charles de Gaulle

It is an honor for us to — accept the grandson of de Gaulle in Russia. For us, the hero is not Marshal Peten, but Lieutenant de Gaulle and the heroes — squadron pilots « Normandy – Neman ». I know that there are many friends of Russia in France, and their number is growing. The ideological confrontation will never end.

About the energy union

As for energy, we never supplied gas from Russia to Central Asia. But now, taking into account the growing needs and natural disasters, we were asked to start supplying Russian gas to these countries. We will do this from October this year. Small deliveries of 3 billion cubic meters will begin, but this is important.

When solving all these issues, we must not forget about the environment. By the way, as for the supply of our gas to Moldova —, one of the officials said that Moldova no longer buys Russian gas. But Miller ( Gazprom ) said that they both bought gas and continue to buy it. But we must solve the issue related to debt obligations.

The greatness of Russia

As for the greatness of Russia. You know, Russia’s greatness today is to strengthen its sovereignty, and sovereignty is based on self-sufficiency — in technology, finance, the economy as a whole, in the field of defense and security. Those people who started for some reason to fight with today’s Russia, — I don’t understand why they did it. Only if because of stupidity.

This has led us to the only choice of — to strengthen our sovereignty in the field of economics, technology, finance and security. Those people who began to do this and brought them to their current state, already hot, began to impose sanctions on us — they got a completely opposite result.Photo: RIA Novosti / Vladimir Smirnov

We will continue to strengthen our defense capabilities. We see questions that arise during the fighting, we see what is missing. But we are increasing production — I would say, at times. The trend is very positive, correct. Our task is — to keep these trends. And we will do it.

About private military companies

It was a journalistic name — private military company. There are no private military companies in Russia because there is no law. The experience that was, he was clumsy, because everything was organized without the law. When the Ministry of Defense invited this organization to come and help in Ukraine, they agreed.

We do not yet have a consensus in Russia whether we need such companies or not. If you do this (CVC), you must do this on the basis of the law. This issue is not easy, so we discuss, think. In many countries there are such companies, they exist — and work mainly abroad, of course.

But to date, several thousand of these fighters have signed contracts with the Ministry of Defense.

As for what happened to the plane of the head of the PMC. The head of the UK reported to me just the other day. Fragments of hand grenades were found in the bodies of the dead. There was no external impact on the plane. This is a fact. The fact of the examination conducted by the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.

About the future world order

The future world order will certainly be based on the future economic and monetary and financial system. It should be more balanced, it should meet the interests of all participants in the international economic process.

Originally published in “Izvestia”