Putin: Expanding areas of work with partners to bypass sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that his country is studying alternative economic options and expanding areas of work with partners to bypass Western sanctions.

Today, while chairing a meeting on development in Crimea, Putin said: We meet with you just before the anniversary of the reunification of Crimea to Russia, and we all remember the courage and patriotism shown by the people of Crimea and Sevastopol at that time when they formed a wall in the path of neo-Nazis and radicals who orchestrated an authoritarian coup in Kyiv.

Putin added: The people of Crimea and Sevastopol united and won and made their free choice to be with Russia. The past years have proven that this decision was correct and came at the right time. It is enough to look at what is happening in Donbass to realize this.

Putin pointed out that the unprecedented sanctions imposed on Russia in response to its launch of a military operation in Ukraine affect development plans in the Crimea, noting at the same time that these sanctions “provide new financial opportunities.”

Putin made it clear that in these circumstances, major Russian companies, including banks, which have so far refrained from carrying out their activities in Crimea in order to avoid sanctions from the West, can start their work there quietly, as there is no longer anything to be afraid of.