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Putin calls US ‘irrational’ for raising tensions with China while also confronting Russia

Speaking at a plenary session of the Valdai international discussion club, Vladimir Putin specifically mentioned the visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said US officials traveled to Taiwan at a time of the US confrontation with Russia because of their arrogance and a sense of impunity, and called the visits irrational.

Speaking at a plenary session of the Valdai international discussion club, he specifically mentioned the visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"This tragedy in Ukraine is happening. The entire West has come down on us trying to ruin our economy, sending billions worth of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, fighting Russia. Now why spoil relations with China at the same time? Are they sensible people or not? That totally runs counter to common sense and logic," Putin said. "Why would that old lady (Pelosi - TASS) go to Taiwan to provoke China to come up with some retaliation while they can’t settle relations with Russia over what’s happening in Ukraine? That’s total nonsense."

"Does it seem there’s some sophisticated design for all of this? I don’t think there’s any. It’s just plain nonsense. Arrogance and a sense of impunity - that’s what underlies these irrational moves.".

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