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June 19, 2022 – 10:50 am
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a massive attack on the West at the International Economic Forum in St Petersburg. According to the Kremlin, the Russian president’s speech was delayed by about an hour due to a hacking attack on the forum.
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In international politics, nothing will ever be the same
The US is acting as if it was sent to earth by God with sacred interests, Putin said at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. “Our Western colleagues still think in terms of the last century, they treat other countries as colonies,” Putin says, stressing that nothing in international politics will ever be the same.
Russia sees Putin as a “rebel who is trying to isolate”. In sports, culture or the Olympic movement, Russians are “canceled”. “That’s the nature of the Russian phobia in the West and the crazy sanctions against Russia,” Putin said. According to Vladimir Putin, Western sanctions against Russia have had no effect. “From the beginning, the economic blitzkrieg had no chance of success.”
Every year, Putin’s appearance before an international audience is the highlight of the economic meeting, which this year marks its 25th anniversary. The Kremlin had previously announced a landmark speech by the president.
Participants from 115 countries at the International Economic Forum in St Petersburg
Guests must have a special delegate pass to access the Forum grounds, which are organized like a large trade show and feature hundreds of round tables and other events. Guests are only allowed in if the security system with computers and screens works. According to the Kremlin, this system has already been attacked by hackers.
Organizers speak of participants from 115 countries this year. Among the guests of honor are President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of the authoritarian former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, the Taliban of Afghanistan and the separatist leaders of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, recognized by Russia and persecuted as terrorists. Putin will also meet with representatives of Russian media, including war reporters. (dpa/rts/aze)
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