Putin claims Russia's military operations in Ukraine not responsible for global inflation

Russian President Vlimir Putin on Friday stated that Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine is not reason behind global economic turbulence. dressing St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin claimed that worldwide inflation is outcome of West's systematic mistakes in economic policies and bureaucracy, which y are trying to cover up now. He slammed Western nations for pinning blame of ir "failures" on Moscow.  

"What is happening (global economic situation) is not result of recent month, much less result of special military operation in Ukraine's Donbass... rising prices, inflation, and problem with food and fuel are a mistake of US ministration's economic policies and European bureaucracy," Putin remarked in his strongly defensive dress.

Putin, citing his assessment report on current geopolitical situation, stressed that high energy prices were observed since third quarter of 2021, "which was long before our operation in Donbass." He ded hike in fuel prices was also a result of a "failed energy policy" formulated by European Union countries. He also took a swipe at West for accusing Moscow of "weaponising food." Putin said, sweeping economic sanctions on Moscow have hindered delivery of food grains resulting in growing demands and lesser supply, in turn, driving up prices. He also refuted predominant notion that Russian fleet is blocking Ukrainian Black Sea ports, inste, he said Kyiv was unable to sail out food grains due to its mine-len ports.

It is to mention that  Ukraine is world's fifth-largest exporter of wheat, fourth-largest exporter of corn and top exporter of sunflower oil. With Russian invasion, its entire production and supply chain has been disrupted. Amid war, UN warned of an imminent food crisis that could push nearly 49 million into famine or similar conditions.

Putin says Russia was 'forced' into conflict

Putin dug right into his propaganda narrative on Friday while speaking about invasion of Ukraine. He stated that Russia was "forced" into conflict with Ukraine in order to "defend its security." He went on: decision to attack its neighbouring ex-Soviet country was driven by idea of "protecting citizens and residents of People's Republic of Donbass," who were allegedly subjected to eight years of "genocide" by Kyiv regime and neo-Nazis. He also defended his brutal war in Ukraine as a "decision of a sovereign country that has an unconditional right."  

(Image: AP)