Putin called the expression “unfriendly countries” inaccurate

The phrase “unfriendly countries” does not accurately reflect the existing realities, it does not even reflect it at all. This statement was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP).

“You know, in our public consciousness and into circulation such a phrase has entered: “unfriendly countries”. It does not accurately reflect the existing realities, one might say, it does not reflect at all, because we have unfriendly elites in a certain number of countries, unfriendly rulers, and the political system, unfortunately, is such in many countries of the world that it often lifts people to the top with enough low level of education and general culture, sometimes they do not understand what they say and do, and the result, as you know, is obvious – their work is detrimental to their own population, their own business, ”- said he (quoted by RIA Novosti)

According to the President, Russia is interested in European partners being independent, sovereign and making decisions based on national interests. But Putin noted with regret that this is not entirely true, and often not at all.

As Putin noted, the message was the same – “let’s stop being enemies, let’s live together.” However, as the President stated, Russia was refused practically in all areas of possible cooperation. Putin called the goal of Western pressure on Russia to make the country more vulnerable, to turn it into a tool for achieving his own geopolitical goals.

Last fall, at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club, Putin declaredthat Russia does not consider itself an enemy of the West. As part of his speech, the president said that Russia is not challenging the elites of the West, but is defending its right to exist. The head of state stressed that Russia was trying to improve relations with the West and NATO.

Last spring the government approved list of countries unfriendly to Russia. The list of unfriendly countries includes Australia, Albania, Andorra, Great Britain, including Jersey, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, member states of the European Union, Iceland, Canada, Liechtenstein, Micronesia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, San Marino, North Macedonia, Singapore, USA, Taiwan, Ukraine, Montenegro, Switzerland, Japan.