we must definitely preserve the soul of Russia – Kommersant

President Vladimir Putin concluded his speech during the plenary session at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) with words about the need to develop the country while preserving its soul. This is how he answered the moderator’s question about what the country’s image of the future is.

“Scientists are engaged in their developments, industrialists work in the field of material production, in agriculture <...>, cultural figures create images to support our values. All this must be realized in the fact that our country – including in the field of security and defense – must be self-sufficient,” said Mr. Putin (quoted from TASS).

According to Vladimir Putin, self-sufficiency “does not mean isolating the country” – making the country “even stronger” is necessary in cooperation with partners and friends. At the same time, the president clarified, our future depends on ourselves and “we must definitely preserve the soul of Russia.”

He also added that Russia’s opponents actually declared a blockade on the country in the form of sanctions and hoped that it would retreat and surrender.

Earlier at the WEF plenary session, Vladimir Putin statedthat, according to various estimates, 160-170 cultural figures left Russia. According to him, this is better than if they “drew on brains” and “promoted non-traditional values” within the country.

Petr Buzlaev