Vladimir Putin mocks West, says Russia will press on in Ukraine

Russian President Vlimir Putin said Wednesday that Moscow will press on with its military action in Ukraine until reaching its goals and mocked Western attempts to drive Russia into a corner with sanctions.

Putin told at an annual economic forum in far-eastern port city of Vlivostok that main goal behind sending troops into Ukraine was protecting civilians in east of that country after eight years of fighting.

“It wasn't us who started military action, we are trying to put an end to it,” Putin said, reaffirming his argument that he sent troops into Ukraine to protect Moscow-backed separatist regions in Ukraine, which have fought Ukrainian forces in conflict that erupted in 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea.

“All our action has been aimed at helping people living in Donbas, it's our duty and we will fulfill it until end,” he said.

Putin charged that Russia has strengned its sovereignty in face of Western sanctions, which he said bordered on an aggression.

“Russia has resisted economic, financial and technological aggression of West,” Putin said. "I'm sure that we haven't lost anything and we won't lose anything. most important gain is strengning of our sovereignty, it's an inevitable result of what's going one.” Russian leer said that economic and financial situation in Russia has stabilized, consumer prices inflation has slowed down and unemployment has remained low.

“re has been a certain polarization in world and inside country, but I view it as a positive thing,” he ded. “Everything unnecessary, harmful, everything that has prevented us from going forward will be rejected and we will gain development tempo because development can only be based on sovereignty.” Putin emphasized that Russia will keep protecting its sovereignty in face of what he described as an attempt by U.S. and its allies to preserve ir global domination, saying that “ world mustn't be founded on diktat of one country that deemed itself representative of almighty or even higher and based its policies on its perceived exclusivity.” He scoffed at Western attempts to cap prices for Russian oil and gas, calling idea “stupid” and saying that Russia will have enough customers in Asia. “ demand is so high on global markets that we won't have any problem selling it,” he said.

“An attempt to limit prices by ministrative means is just ravings, it's sheer nonsense,” Putin ded. “It will only le to a hike in prices.” He rejected EU's argument that Russia was using energy as a weapon by suspending gas supplies via Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Germany.

Putin reaffirmed Russian argument that Western sanctions have hampered maintenance of last turbine that remains in operation, forcing its shutdown.

He repeated that Moscow stands rey to “press button” and start pumping gas “as early as tomorrow” through Nord Stream 2, which has been put on hold by German authorities. (AP) MRJ