Russia’s Economic Roadmap: Putin Speaks at Eastern Forum

The transcript will be up in a few hours.

Over 6,000 people from 76 countries are attending the forum. The largest delegations have come from China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The business programme covers seven key spheres – international partnership, technological development, cooperation between business and the state, development of the Far East, investment and innovations, logistics, and urban planning – and includes over 100 themed sessions.

HIGHTLIGHTS FROM PUTIN’S SPEECH AT EASTERN ECONOMIC FORUM

🟠 Development of Far East & Siberia is Russia’s priority for the 21st century

🟠 Ties of Russia’s Far East with foreign countries strengthening

🟠 Mining in Russian Far East expanding

🟠 Putin reveals plan to transform Russian Far East into rare earth metal hub

🟠 Russia plans the construction of new bridges in North Korea

🟠 Trans-Arctic Corridor to boost Russia’s Far East, Siberia, & Arctic, with cutting-edge shipbuilding centers for tugs, bulk carriers, icebreakers

🟠Trans-Arctic Corridor will provide direct access from Siberia to Arctic sea routes

MORE HIGHTLIGHTS FROM PUTIN’S SPEECH AT EASTERN ECONOMIC FORUM:

🔹 Russia and China began major joint work 20 years ago, driven by national interests, not current circumstances

🔹 Russia has never refused to cooperate with countries eager to develop ties

🔹 Many European companies left Russia at a loss; many are waiting for political restrictions to be lifted

🔹 Protectionism harms those who pursue such policies

🔹 Russia is open to cooperation with all countries, but first and foremost, with its friends

HIGHLIGHTS FROM PUTIN ON UKRAINE DURING EASTERN ECONOMIC FORUM

🔹Russia will consider any troops on Ukrainian territory as legitimate targets for destruction

🔹Putin expressed willingness for contact with the Ukrainian side but he sees no purpose in it: reaching an agreement on key issues with Ukraine will be “practically impossible”

🔹Russia will guarantee Zelensky’s security if he comes to Moscow for talks

🔹Moscow is the best place to hold these talks, Ukraine asking for a different location is “too much”

🔹 Ukrainian constitution says that any agreements on territories must be approved by referendum, but for this to happen, martial law must be lifted

🔹Russia will respect security guarantees for Ukraine, but it also demands security guarantees for itself. So far, no one is seriously discussing what security guarantees they’re prepared to offer Russia

Transcript: http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/77927