MOSCOW, December 4. /TASS/. It is senseless to speak with Russia from the position of strength, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his annual state of the nation address to the Federal Assembly, the both chambers of Russia’s parliament, on Thursday.
According to Putin, the policy of containing Russia is implemented each time when someone believes that the country has become too independent.
“The policy of containment was not invented yesterday. It has been carried out against this country for many and many years — always, if one can say. For decades if not centuries,” Putin said.
“Each time when someone believes that Russia has become too strong, independent, these tools are used immediately,” the Russian leader said.
Russia, nevertheless, is not planning to curtail ties with Europe and the United States, Putin said. It will be "open to the world for cooperation, investments and joint projects", the Russian president added.
“Under no circumstances, are we planning to curtail our relations with Europe and America. We’ll restore and expand traditional relations with South America, and continue cooperation with Africa and the Middle East countries,” Putin said.
Russia has not allowed dismembering and disintegrating itself according to the Yugoslav scenario just as it had not allowed Hitler to do that in his time, Putin said.
“They would have gladly applied the Yugoslav scenario of dismemberment and disintegration to us with all the tragic consequences for the peoples of Russia. They failed. We did not allow them to do that,” Putin stressed.
In Putin's words, Russia has no intention to get involved in the costly arms race, but at the same time it will ensure its security in full measure.
“I can say only one thing, maybe even repeating myself: we are not going to be dragged into the costly arms race, but we will reliably ensure our country’s defense capability in the new conditions,” he said. The president said he had no doubt about it.
“This will be done. Russia has such possibilities and nonstandard solutions,” he said.