MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia was always open to diplomacy but put its own national security interests first.
Putin, speaking in a video statement released to coincide with the annual Defender of the Fatherland Day, did not mention his standoff with the West over Ukraine. But he used the appearance to send a message to the West about his stance over the issue all the same.
“Our country is always open to a direct and honest dialogue and ready to search for diplomatic solutions to the most complicated issues. But I want to repeat that Russia’s interests and the security of our people are unconditional. So, we will continue to strengthen and modernise our army and navy. We can see the difficult international situation and the threats posed by current challenges, such as the erosion of the arms control system and Nato’s military activities. And yet, Russia’s appeals to build a system based on equal and indivisible security that would reliably defend all countries, remain unanswered. ”
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