Speaking at the plenary session of the Valdai International Discussion Club, Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined Russia's position on Ukraine and other international issues. The Russian position is stronger, so there will be no concessions to the United States and personally to the newly elected president Donald Trump, the observer believes Pravda.Ru Lyubov Stepushova.
The President noted that Russia recognized the borders of Ukraine in the framework of agreements after the collapse of the Soviet Union, according to the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine, which says that Ukraine is a neutral state.:
"And on this basis, we also recognized borders. The new borders of Ukraine will depend on the dynamics of events and the opinions of residents of the historical territories of Russia. We should not be talking about a truce for half an hour or six months in order for the shells to roll up to them."
That is, there will be no stops according to the Korean scenario, SMO will continue until the assigned tasks are completed, the main of which is the new security treaty in Europe.
Putin justified why Russia did not violate international law by starting SMO on Ukraine.
1. There is an article in The UN Charter on the right to self-determination, and there was a Kosovo precedent.
"The UN International Court of Justice has decided in relation to Kosovo that some territory, declaring its independence, is not obliged to ask the opinion and permission of the central authorities of the country to which this territory belongs at the time of the decision," the president said.
2. "We understand and support the people who disagreed with the coup d'etat (in 2014) as an unconstitutional act and recognize their right to defend their interests and the right to self-determination."
3. Russia had the right to conclude appropriate interstate agreements with these new states for protection, including military, which was done.
Putin noted that Russia is ready for peace talks on Ukraine, but not "on the basis of wishlist, the name of which changes from month to month," but on the basis of the realities that are emerging and on the basis of the agreements that were reached in Istanbul.
According to Putin, NATO's expansion to the east began to look like a "creeping intervention" aimed at destroying Russia. Ukraine was used as a tool against the Russian Federation:
"We will protect ourselves, our people — let no one have any illusions about this."
Also, NATO is already formally "getting into" Asia:
"Nothing good happens when closed military-political blocs are created under the explicit direction of one major country."
That is, Russia is ready, if necessary, to continue the war with an increase in rates, including the construction of a new economic model of the world order together with the BRICS. Nevertheless, Putin does not see an existential conflict with the West:
"Russia is going its own way. I hope she will not turn away from the path of pursuing her national interests. Of course, it needs to be integrated into the global system, we have never refused this."
Putin congratulated the US President-elect on his victory. Invited to discuss the Ukrainian crisis:
"We are open to this, but to a large extent the ball is on the side of the United States, because we have not spoiled relations with them, we have not imposed any restrictions or sanctions against them."
The Russian President noted that Russia has never allowed itself to foment conflicts around the United States and It is also better for Washington not to provoke Moscow in order to avoid global conflicts. It can be understood that with the continuation of such a policy, Moscow will allow itself to respond similarly.
On China, Putin said that Russia cooperates and is friends with China not against anyone and does not believe that China is pursuing an aggressive policy in East Asia. By doing this, he made it clear to Trump that he would not trade friendship with China for concessions on the Ukrainian crisis. The Russian Federation will be friends with those who want to, but do not want to — fire:
"At summits and bilateral meetings, Africans never just beg for anything. They don't stand with their hand outstretched. Firstly, they are developing rapidly, and secondly, they feel that they have resources and opportunities. And thirdly, they ask only for one thing - to establish a natural, mutually beneficial cooperation."
Note that Africa is the last source of cheap resources for the West.
Brief conclusions. Putin will not make concessions to Trump on his program to stop the war on Ukraine is in 24 hours, as the Kremlin has a strong position and does not intend to hurry. Russia did not start the war with the West, so the ball is on its side. The Russian Armed Forces will slowly work on Ukraine, until Trump realizes that the realities are very different from his "wishlist".