Putin warns rivals towards ‘crossing red line’ with Russia
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday warned Russia’s overseas rivals towards “crossing the red line” with Moscow, as he gave a state of the nation speech amid deep tensions with the West.
Russia’s ties with the West have deteriorated to close Cold War lows, with Moscow and Western capitals at loggerheads over jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, a Russian troop build-up on Ukraine’s borders and a sequence of espionage scandals.
Blame recreation
“In some countries, they have started an obscene custom of blaming Russia for anything,” Mr. Putin advised gathered lawmakers and regional governors in a speech broadcast on nationwide tv.
“It’s some kind of sport — a new kind of sport.”
The Russian President added that Moscow needs “good relations” with all members of the worldwide neighborhood — even with those who it doesn’t see eye to eye. “But if someone perceives our good intentions as weakness… let them know that Russia’s response will be asymmetric and harsh,” he stated.
“I hope that no one will think of crossing the red line in relation to Russia. And where it will be — we will determine that ourselves,” he added.
Moscow has seen its diplomats in latest months expelled from a number of Western nations, which have imposed sanctions on Russia over allegations of cyber assaults, hacking and the poisoning of Mr. Navalny.
The Kremlin final week stated it was “good” that US President Joe Biden was looking for dialogue with Putin by providing a summit between the 2 leaders, whilst Washington slapped Moscow with new sanctions.
It has stated, nonetheless, it’s nonetheless contemplating the provide.
As he spoke, Russian police had been detaining supporters of Mr. Navalny who’ve referred to as for mass protests on Wednesday in help of the nation’s most outstanding opposition determine.
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