Putin says that Russia can't be isolated

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that his country can’t be isolated. Putin added that Russia will press on with its military action in Ukraine until its goals are fulfilled. He said that the campaign is going according to plan. He said it is not moving faster because Russia wants to minimize losses. Putin claimed that Ukraine backtracked on proposals it made during talks with Russian negotiators in Istanbul, resulting in a deadlock in talks and leaving Moscow no other choice but to press on with its offensive.

Speaking on a visit to the Vostochny space launch facility in Russia’s Far East, Putin said Tuesday that Russia has no intention to isolate itself and added that foreign powers wouldn’t succeed in isolating it. He said that “it’s certainly impossible to isolate anyone in the world of today, especially such a huge country as Russia.” Putin added that “we will work with those of our partners who want to cooperate.” Putin’s visit to Vostochny marked his first known trip outside Moscow since Russian launched military action in Ukraine on Feb. 24. Putin toured space facilities together with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Speaking on sanctions Putin said that the Russian economy has successfully resisted new Western sanctions over Ukraine. He said that Russia's economy and financial system withstood the impact of what he called the Western sanctions blitz and the ruble has recovered its losses. Putin argued that the sanctions will backfire against the West. For example, he said that Western restrictions on fertilizer exports from Russia and ally Belarus will drive up global fertilizer prices, eventually leading to food shortages and increased migration flows. He said that common sense should prevail and added that the West should come back to reason and make well-balanced decisions without losing its face. He contended that they won't be able to shut all the doors and windows. He argued that new Western restrictions on high-tech exports will encourage Russia to move faster to develop new technologies, opening a new window of opportunities.

(With agency inputs)