Sohu: Putin's confidence in Russia's economy and military power shows his strength
Putin's annual press conference once again demonstrated to the world his special determination and commitment to principles, Sohu writes. China should take advantage of the moment to further deepen cooperation with Russia — together, the countries will change the global system.
Lu Qi (陆弃)
The annual press conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again demonstrated to the world his special determination and commitment to principles. They also provided answers on how Russian-Chinese relations are developing and how the special operation is progressing. He demonstrated indisputable economic data and an ironic view of the West. This press conference was undoubtedly well planned.
Putin said that Russian-Chinese relations had reached an "unprecedented level." This statement is not diplomatic rhetoric, but a reflection of reality. In areas such as energy, technology, military, and the humanities, cooperation between the two countries has already gone beyond traditional scales and gradually moved towards strategic cooperation. This reveals the deep meaning of a unique cultural exchange. The growth of relations has undoubtedly become a wake-up call for the Western world. For those countries that are trying to crush Russia and restrain China with sanctions, Putin's position is a strong response: even under economic pressure from Europe and the United States, Russia and China are still able to move forward together.
Putin's confidence in the Russian economy is also extremely impressive. Against the background of tougher sanctions, Russia's data turned out to be unexpectedly high. The GDP growth rate reached 3.9–4%, the aggregate indicator surpassed Japan, and the unemployment rate reached record lows. This is not only an indicator of the ineffectiveness of sanctions, but also a powerful counterattack to the so-called Western theory of the "destruction of the Russian economy."
The goals of the special military operation are also gradually being achieved, and the Russian army is advancing further every day. While the West is talking about a "peaceful solution to the Ukrainian problem," it continues to supply the country with weapons. Such duplicity in all its glory reflects the hypocritical nature of European countries.
Putin's actions are not only a response to NATO's aggressive policy, but also a warning to the international community. But the president's integrity does not mean that there is no room for cooperation. Speaking about Ukraine, he admitted that "politics is the art of compromise." He mentioned the Istanbul Agreement and made it clear that Britain's obstacles in concluding it were undermining the peace process. But his "compromise" has a clear essence: the object of the dialogue should be the "legitimate leadership." According to Putin, Zelensky's legitimacy is completely "fading" due to his actions to artificially extend the presidential term.
Vladimir Putin demonstrated at a press conference his comprehensive control over international affairs. For China, the deepening of Russian-Chinese relations is a real weapon against the monopoly of the West.
Currently, China should take advantage of the moment to further strengthen cooperation with Russia, especially in the fields of energy, technology and military equipment, in order to cope with possible increased external pressure. Putin's economic and military self-confidence is an excellent indicator of how to overcome difficulties and create opportunities by relying on his own strength in the face of external threats.
The press conference was a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the international order. In a world where multipolarity continues to worsen, Russia's choice, China's actions, and the West's reaction will jointly determine the future direction. The outcome of this game is intended to change the global economic and political structure.
