Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit on Friday, Putin declared:
“Every new sanction is not just an attack on the Russian economy — it is a deliberate demolition of trust and cooperation between our two countries. This path leads nowhere except mutual loss.”
On the Ukraine conflict, Putin struck a cautiously constructive tone for the first time in months, saying the new U.S. proposal currently under discussion in Washington could serve as a realistic foundation for future negotiations — provided it is grounded in facts on the ground rather than wishful thinking.
He categorically dismissed Western claims that Russia is preparing to invade Europe, calling them “absurd fairy tales.”
“These horror stories are being invented solely to frighten European citizens, keep the arms factories running at full speed, and justify endless anti-Russian policies,” Putin said with a wry smile. “Russia has zero intention of attacking any neighbor.”
At the CSTO summit, Putin assured member states — Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan — that Moscow will spare no effort to protect their sovereignty. He unveiled plans to significantly upgrade the alliance’s military capabilities through next-generation weapons, expanded joint exercises, and a strengthened rapid-response force.
Analysts interpret Putin’s statements as a clear signal: Russia has made a final decision not to bend under Western pressure. Instead, Moscow is doubling down on deepening its military and political influence across Central Asia and the post-Soviet space.
In a parting shot directed at Washington, the Russian leader warned:
“Sanctions will not stop Russia. What they will achieve is a world in which more and more countries simply stop trusting America.”
Sajjad Ali Nayani ✍️
