In an annual address to Federal Assembly in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the western states not to cross Russia’s ‘red lines’, stating that Moscow was trying to build good relations with other countries and that it would respond swiftly and harshly to any provocations made by the foreign states.
Putin has made his comments at a time when Russia’s relations with the United States and Europe are under severe stress over Ukraine and the well-being of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
“We want good relations…. and really don’t want to burn bridges,” Putin said in his address to both the houses of Parliament. He stated that if someone mistakes Russia’s “good intentions” for apathy or weakness, and intends to “burn down or blow” these bridges, Russia would respond with an “asymmetrical, swift and harsh” reaction.
“Russia would determine where its red line lay in each specific case”, he added further.
In his 78-minute speech, which was dominated by Russia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic difficulties, he made his comments, warning the west at the peek of the speech.
Recently, the Western countries have accused Moscow of drawing tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine, which has resulted in an intense clash between Russia and westerns nations.
Last week, Washington had accused Russia of computer hacking and election interference and had tightened the sanctions on the largest country in the world.
Moreover, the Czech Republic had also accused Moscow of playing a role in the 2014 arms depot explosions. The above resulted in the expulsion of Russian diplomats from both countries. Russia responded in a tit-for-tat manner by expelling 20 Czech diplomats and 10 US diplomats as a part of retaliation for sanctions.
Despite the strong opposition from the supporters of Alexei Navalny across Russia, Putin made no mention of him. The opposition leader had been on a hunger strike for three weeks and supporters of the leader were rolling out a series of protests across the country.
Two of the Navalny’s closest associates, Lyubov Sobol, who is the face of Navalny’s popular Youtube channel, and Kira Yarmysh, his spokesperson, were arrested in Moscow.
https://twitter.com/rshaveddinov/status/1384416841846624256
Alexei Navalny, Russia’s leading opposition public servant, is seriously ill in prison because he decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike for poor medical treatment. On Wednesday, his associates urged people across the country to “take to the streets”, to show communal solidarity for the leader.
