Putin Hopes US Authorities Will One Day Realize Futility of Sanctions against Russia

SOCHI-  Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes that the US establishment will sooner or later understand the hopelessness of sanctions pressure on Russia.

“It’s not just about the position of the president of the United States, it is about the position in the so-called establishment, the governing class in the broadest sense of the word,” Putin said at a press conference after talks with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, according to Itar Tass.

“I hope that one day our American partners will realize that this policy [of sanctions against the Russia] has no prospects, and we will start to cooperate as normal,” he said.

 Putin called US sanctions against Russia counterproductive and meaningless.

“As for sanctions [the US sanctions against Russia], these actions are counterproductive and meaningless, especially with regard to such a country as Russia,” he stressed.

Russia forced to respond to US missile defenses near its borders

Russia is forced to respond to the expansion of NATO’s infrastructure and the emergence of missile defense systems near its borders, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the news conference.

In reply to a question from a Finnish journalist Putin said that NATO’s military infrastructures were moving towards Russia’s borders and the amount of the alliance’s military equipment and personnel, as well as the number of military exercises near Russia’s borders were growing.

“Naturally, we have to keep an eye on what is going on there and to strengthen our infrastructures. We must respond to the emergence of components of the US missile defense systems near our borders,” Putin said, adding that those missile defense systems could be used for launching intermediate range missiles.

Whatever the case, Putin said, “We welcome the Finnish president’s proposal for easing any tensions in the region. This concerns flights by combat aircraft.” Putin recalled that the International Civil Aviation Organization had formulated certain rules but they do not apply to military aircraft. “The rules have the status of recommendations,” he recalled.

“We are prepared to discuss this with our NATO partners, but they refuse. I believe this is not a constructive stance. We hope it will change,” Putin said.

Moscow expects that NATO will review its refusal to discuss with Russia measures to ease tensions in the sphere of military aircraft flights, Putin said.

H.M