Vladimir Putin
On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin warned Iranian, Chinese, and other officials that Russia would continue to oppose Western sanctions imposed in response to Moscow’s large-scale military operation in Ukraine.
“Russia is confidently resisting and will continue to resist external pressure, sanctions, and provocations”, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a broadcast speech to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
The United States and the European Union have imposed unprecedented sanctions on Moscow in response to the military involvement, forcing Russia to shift its economic focus to Asian markets, particularly for energy exports.
The Russian leader also praised SCO members for their assistance during a brief insurrection against Russia’s military leadership led by the Wagner mercenary force.
“I would like to thank my colleagues from the SCO countries who expressed support for the Russian leadership’s actions to protect constitutional order, citizens’ lives, and security”, Putin stated.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, led his soldiers in a brief mutiny against Moscow’s senior military command in late June, which Putin claimed threatened the country’s very life.
