In a spirited address at the "Everything for Victory!" forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored the importance of self-sufficiency for maintaining national sovereignty. The president stressed that without a firm commitment to defend its people and ensure self-reliance, Russia risked diminishing into insignificance on the global stage.
According to the Russian state-owned news agency TASS, Putin articulated a vision of sovereignty rooted in the nation's ability to stand independently, stating, "We must make our country self-sufficient, which is the key indicator of sovereignty." He painted a stark picture of the consequences of inaction, suggesting Russia could become "a decrepit and worthless country" if it failed to protect its citizens in key regions such as Donbass, the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, Novorossiya, and Crimea.
Reflecting on the international landscape, Putin criticized the duplicitous nature of global economic relations, highlighting efforts by other nations to undermine Russia's competitive advantages. "The speeches are sweet and good, but everybody plots to take a bite here or take a bite there," he observed, lamenting the strategic maneuvers aimed at diminishing Russia's economic standing.
Despite these challenges, Putin proclaimed Russia's resilience and growth, particularly in the face of economic downturns affecting major economies like the United States and Europe. He pointed to Russia's economic performance as evidence of its self-sufficiency, noting, "We have proved to ourselves and to everyone that we are a self-sufficient country."
The Russian leader also celebrated achievements across various sectors, including high-tech industries, finance, defense, security, and social welfare. He took particular pride in the country's record-breaking housing construction, with more than 110 million square meters of housing built, marking an unprecedented achievement in Russia's history.
