Today, Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that "NATO strategic bombers are flying at a distance of 20 km from Russia's borders," asserting that this "crosses the red line." 

In an expanded meeting at the Russian Foreign Ministry, Putin made clear that the strategic bombers, which were carrying "very serious weapons," according to the Russian president, did not respect "dialogue" with Russia. Putin announced that such activities will have a response, vowing to respond within the perimeters of Russian territory. 

NATO, "out of nothing," expelled Russian diplomats, but signals of cooperation are already coming from NATO, Putin said. He notes that with their readiness to cooperate, they are offended: "And then they are offended that their mission in Russia was closed. Why be offended? This is their initiative. They did something with their own hands and then begin to search for those guilty," Putin said.

He questions whether expelling diplomats is a "sport" to NATO, also stressing that reducing military and political tension is in the interest of both NATO and the world. 

Europe is using the migrant crisis to pressure Minsk 

The Russian president claims that Europe is using the migrant crisis to pressure Belarus, using it as an excuse to create tension in the region. In the meeting, he said, "One cannot but see that Western countries are using the migration crisis on the Belarusian-Polish border as a new reason for tension in our region, which is close to us, for pressure on Minsk, and at the same time they forget their own obligations in the humanitarian sphere." 

Opportunities for cooperation narrowing 

Putin says that, with regret, Russia's room for cooperation with the European Union is narrowing as Europe continues to drive Russia away with sanctions and accusations. 

The previously fruitful cooperation between Russia and the EU is currently experiencing serious difficulties. The EU continues to push us away with sanctions, unfriendly actions, and unfounded accusations, ignoring the obvious benefits of interaction in politics, economy, and humanitarian spheres," Putin said.

However, Putin did not rule out the historical common grounds and neighborliness despite hostilities: "We must not forget that we are neighbors, and as history shows, dividing lines on the continent do not lead to anything good. Russia, of course, is interested in maintaining good-neighborly constructive relations with European states, but everything depends on the reciprocal readiness of partners to establish and develop equal and respectful cooperation," he stressed.

Russian affinity

Related News

EU delays trade retaliations ahead of NATO Summit amid Trump pressure

Russia-Japan diplomatic rift grows amid NATO, Ukraine disputes

The Russian president said that Russia is a peace-loving state and that the country's foreign policy concept will be a roadmap for the foreign ministry and other departments. He spoke of sovereignty and independence through "peace-loving" foundations. 

"It is important that our fundamental law enshrines such fundamental attitudes and values ​​as loyalty to the Motherland, respect for the native language, history, culture, traditions of our ancestors. That is, everything that unites our people around common ideals determines the vector of development of a sovereign independent and peace-loving Russian state, an active member of the international community," Putin said. 

Open to dialogue with the US

Describing the relationship with the US as "unsatisfactory," Russia makes it clear that it is open to improvement in bilateral ties. Putin reiterated that Russia is open to dialogue with the United States, as long as the dialogue is constructive, despite the recurring conflicts and issues with Russian diplomats in the US. 

He added, "It is true that on many bilateral and international issues, our interests, assessments, and positions are in fact different, and everyone knows this very well," adding, "However, I want to say this once again, we are open to contacts, exchange of views and constructive dialogue."

Resisting US-EU dictatorship of climate agenda 

Putin called for joint cooperation when it came to solving issues pertaining to climate change, rather than letting the United States and European agendas dictate the fate of global climate. 

He asserted, "Our diplomacy should more actively resist the attempts of the European Union and the United States to arrogate the right to dictate the climate agenda and form standards on this topic for ourselves," calling for "the search for mutually acceptable solutions."

"The problem of climate change is becoming more and more acute. Russia is taking a proactive and creative part in its solution. Clean nuclear and hydropower, gas power generation, as well as the enormous absorbing capacity of our forests and ecosystems have made our country one of the leaders in the global decarbonization process," he noted.

"We are fulfilling all our obligations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement," Putin added. 

Russian role in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict resolution 

Russia's role in diplomacy is "increasing" regarding the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict; Putin noted that "there is no doubt that the role of Russian diplomacy is increasing in the ongoing efforts to settle disputes between Azerbaijan and Armenia, restore economic relations in the Caucasus region, and open transport corridors."

Putin noted that Russia "has established an interstate commission at the level of deputy prime ministers," considering that "the possibilities are not bad," adding that "all countries in the region, including Russia, are interested in a long-term settlement of the problem."

He added that "a year ago, thanks to the active Russian mediation efforts, the conflict in Karabakh stopped," despite that "the recent shootings on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border showed that the situation in this region has not yet completely calmed down."

Putin: Western parties are trying to drive a wedge between Beijing and Moscow

The Russian president considered that relations between Russia and China have reached "the highest level in its history," noting that "some people do not like this."

Putin explained that Russia and China have distinguished and advantageous strategic partnership relations, pointing to some Western parties, who "are trying to drive a wedge between Moscow and Beijing. We see this, and we are addressing the issue with China by expanding bilateral cooperation."

Impartial mediator in the Middle East

Putin described Russia as a key player in defeating terrorism in Syria during the war and reaffirmed that it will be an impartial mediator in conflict resolution in the region. 

"Russia has always acted and will continue to act as an impartial mediator in settling conflicts and crises in the Middle East and to promote stabilization of the situation in this region in every possible way," he said.

"Within the framework of the Astana format together with Turkey and Iran, an intra-Syrian settlement process was launched under UN auspices," he stressed,  thus contributing to the prevention of the collapse of the state.

Putin also pointed out Russia's support for normalizing Syria's relationship with neighboring Arab states, its return to the Arab League, and promotion for international aid.