Safeguarding Russia’s future despite Western pressure: Key takeaways from Putin’s party conference speech
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the convention of his party, United Russia, in Moscow on Sunday, and gave a sweeping speech that touched on development, Western pressure, and global instability.
The convention was held ahead of the parliamentary election in September.
World in turmoil
Russia is facing a difficult time, with the entire world experiencing a period of “fundamental and systemic transformation,” Putin said, noting the flare-up of regional conflicts and fragmentation of international cooperation.
New artificial obstacles that affect the “economy, technology, science, and even culture, sports and humanitarian cooperation” are emerging, he said.
The proxy war in Ukraine
Western pressure on Russia has reached unprecedented levels, according to Putin.
He went on to say that the Western elites are unable to “inflict a strategic defeat” on Russia, and their efforts to destabilize it from within are proving ineffective.
“Consequently, they keep supporting the Kiev regime, which they have chosen as a battering ram in their struggle against Russia, without any sympathy for the Ukrainian people.”
As Ukraine faces setbacks on all parts of the front line, it has turned to “terrorist activities,” engaging in “targeted attacks on civilians and civilian facilities” and openly recruiting people to conduct terrorist attacks in Russia, Putin said.
The West, meanwhile, turns a blind eye to Kiev’s methods, he added.
National security
Russia is “confidently repelling” all attempts to deter its economic progress, Putin said, referring to the “unlawful” Western sanctions. “We have sufficient resources, means, and political will, and nobody should doubt that.”
The ultimate goal is to ensure the security of Russia, its people, and its borders “for decades ahead,” he stressed.
Safeguarding the future
Putin vowed to “take Russia’s economy to a fundamentally new technological level,” to create modern, high-paying jobs, and to “support national businesses and advanced industries that guarantee Russia’s sovereignty and leadership.”
He also expressed support for building new housing and roads, as well as new support measures for teachers proposed by United Russia.
He identified the preservation of traditional values and demographics and improving living standards and the quality of life across the country as key priorities.
The upcoming election
Putin praised Russian soldiers, volunteers, engineers, and other workers for serving the country, repeating his view that the veterans are “Russia’s true elite.” Theyshould continue serving in civilian life after military service, he said.
“Many party members, including those who have held high posts in government and business structures, have volunteered to go to the front, and frontline heroes are joining your ranks, winning preliminary elections and running for office at all levels.”
The upcoming September parliamentary election will be held in strict adherence to the law and with all measures taken to ensure their integrity, including from external influence and manipulation, Putin said.
The people’s trust in the nation’s democratic institutions is the “essential condition of our society’s stability and unity,” he stated.
