Putin assured that those who introduced sanctions punished themselves. “The West provoked in their own countries a price growth, loss of jobs, closure of enterprises, and an energy crisis, and they tell the citizens that the Russians are to be blamed.”

What measures did they use against us in this sanctioning aggressions? Western nations tried to break ties with Russian companies, disconnect the financial system from communication channels to crush our economy, and deprive us of the access to export markets for our income, he stressed.

Neither can the theft of our foreign currency reserves be omitted. I cannot describe it in any other way. On the other hand, there are attempts to weaken the sector and cause devastating inflation, he stated.

Of course, the defense of the country is the main priority. Russia will not repeat the mistakes of the past and will not destroy its economy, Putin said during his message to the Federal Assembly this Tuesday.

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