MOSCOW -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says that his country will not be isolated and does not fear sanctions from the West.
Source: Beta
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The president made the comments in an interview with German ARD TV ahead of the EU summit in Brussels on Monday where the Georgian crisis and relations with Russia will top the agenda. The interview was aired on Russian TV last night.
He claimed that Russia was defending its honor and the lives of its citizens in South Ossetia.
“A country—Russia in this case—that can defend its honor and the dignity of its citizens, safeguard their lives... won’t be isolated regardless of the bloc-type thinking of our partners in the U.S. and Europe,“ Putin underlined.
“The world doesn’t end with Europe or the U.S.,“ stressed the prime minister.
He criticized European countries for their support of Russia on the issue of Kosovo independence, adding that Europe would not gain anything from “serving the foreign policy interests“ of the U.S.
Putin called on the EU to adopt a “reasonable position“ towards the crisis in the Caucusus, and not to apply sanctions against Russia. “The issue of sanctions is not something that concerns us,“ he said, expressing the hope that reason would prevail.
The Russian prime minister said that Moscow did not desire strained relations with anyone, but wanted only for international law to be applied.
“We want good, neighborly, partnership relations with everyone. We don’t intend to play according to any special rules, we want to work with everyone on the basis of a set of rules known as international law,“ he explained.
Putin said that Russia intended to withdraw its troops from the conflict zone as soon as the situation in Georgia calmed.
The Russian prime minister dismissed as a “downright lie“ suggestions that Moscow had provoked the conflict with a view to toppling the pro-West Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, though he added that he believed that Saakashvili should step down.
it´s kinda funny to read those ineffective attempts to lift these "stories" about Russia is not your friend, China is not your friend and that sort of nonsense...
our dear albanian friends seem to be very eager to copy the "news" from their rather cheap yellow press on this forum here... as if it was something that anyone would believe!
just a hint, kids: the Chinese are not desperate.they have coop´s with all but four african stats, so that western companies are forced to get theirs from Iraq...
so, it looks like the Chinese... they are quite successfully getting the oil they need, WITHOUT chinese soldiers being shot day by day in the middle eastern deserts...
(Jovan, 2 September 2008 11:30)
"lowe,
why do you think China looks elsewhere. They are not stupid enough to rely on Russia and then let them have a noose around their neck.
I really do not understand why everyone keeps trying to make everyone believe China is some big ally to Serbia. Other than the fact that they do not support the independence of Kosovo (For their own very highly publiized reasons) I have not seen anything that backs Serbia. And they may deal with Russia but they are no more going to crawl in bed with Putin than Bush.
(sp, 31 August 2008 15:20) "
sp,
for your info the Chinese are competiting against Japan to secure a pipeline in the Far East for Russian crude. My point is that Russia has no lack of customers. Oil reserves on the ground is an asset and will always be there until Russia decides to exchange it for foreign currency. And the foreign currency need not be Euros. The yuan and yen will do just fine. Europe's industries, transportation however will grind to a halt without oil. Remember that the EU is actually resource poor.
Serbia only needs China to maintain its veto over Kosovo's UN entry. In this aspect, Belgrade has found a reliable partner in Beijing.
(lowe, 1 September 2008 10:56)
lowe,
why do you think China looks elsewhere. They are not stupid enough to rely on Russia and then let them have a noose around their neck.
I really do not understand why everyone keeps trying to make everyone believe China is some big ally to Serbia. Other than the fact that they do not support the independence of Kosovo (For their own very highly publiized reasons) I have not seen anything that backs Serbia. And they may deal with Russia but they are no more going to crawl in bed with Putin than Bush.
(sp, 31 August 2008 15:20)
Putin is right. The Chinese are so desperate to secure their supply of resources that they even courted Sudan and other African nations disliked by the West.
So if the West stop buying Russian gas and oil, Beijing will be most happy to take up the slack. And witht the great advantage of business WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED.
On the other hand, if Moscow cuts off gas and oil to the West this winter, THEY WILL FREEZE.
In other words, it is not really Russia BUT THE RESOURCE POOR WEST that should fear the sanctions!
(lowe, 31 August 2008 05:58)
Papajohn,
The question is why do you think Russia should be revived like a superpower? What have they actually contributed to the world order? Maybe ask Poland or Ukraine about them! I'm sure your neighbors are happy with bear Russia hanging over their necks...One more thing where do more Serb live in US or Russia? I don't really know the answer to this one but would be really surprised if its the latter!!! I'm afraid they're are just using you for their agenda at the moment. Georgia is a perfect example...
(Real Canadian, 31 August 2008 01:52)
He isn't, Andrew. He is protecting his country from US aggression in Europe. BTW, why is the US so actively involved in Europe and dictating it's policy? It is better to have more than one superpower in the world, don't you think, Andrew? That way the world does not become mere subjects of one ruling nation. You just dislike Russia, Andrew, I think. Maybe you are Albanian?
(papajohn, 30 August 2008 19:02)
It seems Putin does not want to learn from history. He should take lessons from Gorbachev.I don't know why is he hell bent on ruining Russia?
(Andrew, 30 August 2008 16:45)
He isn't, Andrew. He is protecting his country from US aggression in Europe. BTW, why is the US so actively involved in Europe and dictating it's policy? It is better to have more than one superpower in the world, don't you think, Andrew? That way the world does not become mere subjects of one ruling nation. You just dislike Russia, Andrew, I think. Maybe you are Albanian?
(papajohn, 30 August 2008 19:02)
Putin is right. The Chinese are so desperate to secure their supply of resources that they even courted Sudan and other African nations disliked by the West.
So if the West stop buying Russian gas and oil, Beijing will be most happy to take up the slack. And witht the great advantage of business WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED.
On the other hand, if Moscow cuts off gas and oil to the West this winter, THEY WILL FREEZE.
In other words, it is not really Russia BUT THE RESOURCE POOR WEST that should fear the sanctions!
(lowe, 31 August 2008 05:58)
It seems Putin does not want to learn from history. He should take lessons from Gorbachev.I don't know why is he hell bent on ruining Russia?
(Andrew, 30 August 2008 16:45)
"lowe,
why do you think China looks elsewhere. They are not stupid enough to rely on Russia and then let them have a noose around their neck.
I really do not understand why everyone keeps trying to make everyone believe China is some big ally to Serbia. Other than the fact that they do not support the independence of Kosovo (For their own very highly publiized reasons) I have not seen anything that backs Serbia. And they may deal with Russia but they are no more going to crawl in bed with Putin than Bush.
(sp, 31 August 2008 15:20) "
sp,
for your info the Chinese are competiting against Japan to secure a pipeline in the Far East for Russian crude. My point is that Russia has no lack of customers. Oil reserves on the ground is an asset and will always be there until Russia decides to exchange it for foreign currency. And the foreign currency need not be Euros. The yuan and yen will do just fine. Europe's industries, transportation however will grind to a halt without oil. Remember that the EU is actually resource poor.
Serbia only needs China to maintain its veto over Kosovo's UN entry. In this aspect, Belgrade has found a reliable partner in Beijing.
(lowe, 1 September 2008 10:56)
Papajohn,
The question is why do you think Russia should be revived like a superpower? What have they actually contributed to the world order? Maybe ask Poland or Ukraine about them! I'm sure your neighbors are happy with bear Russia hanging over their necks...One more thing where do more Serb live in US or Russia? I don't really know the answer to this one but would be really surprised if its the latter!!! I'm afraid they're are just using you for their agenda at the moment. Georgia is a perfect example...
(Real Canadian, 31 August 2008 01:52)
it´s kinda funny to read those ineffective attempts to lift these "stories" about Russia is not your friend, China is not your friend and that sort of nonsense...
our dear albanian friends seem to be very eager to copy the "news" from their rather cheap yellow press on this forum here... as if it was something that anyone would believe!
just a hint, kids: the Chinese are not desperate.they have coop´s with all but four african stats, so that western companies are forced to get theirs from Iraq...
so, it looks like the Chinese... they are quite successfully getting the oil they need, WITHOUT chinese soldiers being shot day by day in the middle eastern deserts...
(Jovan, 2 September 2008 11:30)
lowe,
why do you think China looks elsewhere. They are not stupid enough to rely on Russia and then let them have a noose around their neck.
I really do not understand why everyone keeps trying to make everyone believe China is some big ally to Serbia. Other than the fact that they do not support the independence of Kosovo (For their own very highly publiized reasons) I have not seen anything that backs Serbia. And they may deal with Russia but they are no more going to crawl in bed with Putin than Bush.
(sp, 31 August 2008 15:20)
He isn't, Andrew. He is protecting his country from US aggression in Europe. BTW, why is the US so actively involved in Europe and dictating it's policy? It is better to have more than one superpower in the world, don't you think, Andrew? That way the world does not become mere subjects of one ruling nation. You just dislike Russia, Andrew, I think. Maybe you are Albanian?
(papajohn, 30 August 2008 19:02)
It seems Putin does not want to learn from history. He should take lessons from Gorbachev.I don't know why is he hell bent on ruining Russia?
(Andrew, 30 August 2008 16:45)
lowe,
why do you think China looks elsewhere. They are not stupid enough to rely on Russia and then let them have a noose around their neck.
I really do not understand why everyone keeps trying to make everyone believe China is some big ally to Serbia. Other than the fact that they do not support the independence of Kosovo (For their own very highly publiized reasons) I have not seen anything that backs Serbia. And they may deal with Russia but they are no more going to crawl in bed with Putin than Bush.
(sp, 31 August 2008 15:20)
it´s kinda funny to read those ineffective attempts to lift these "stories" about Russia is not your friend, China is not your friend and that sort of nonsense...
our dear albanian friends seem to be very eager to copy the "news" from their rather cheap yellow press on this forum here... as if it was something that anyone would believe!
just a hint, kids: the Chinese are not desperate.they have coop´s with all but four african stats, so that western companies are forced to get theirs from Iraq...
so, it looks like the Chinese... they are quite successfully getting the oil they need, WITHOUT chinese soldiers being shot day by day in the middle eastern deserts...
(Jovan, 2 September 2008 11:30)
"lowe,
why do you think China looks elsewhere. They are not stupid enough to rely on Russia and then let them have a noose around their neck.
I really do not understand why everyone keeps trying to make everyone believe China is some big ally to Serbia. Other than the fact that they do not support the independence of Kosovo (For their own very highly publiized reasons) I have not seen anything that backs Serbia. And they may deal with Russia but they are no more going to crawl in bed with Putin than Bush.
(sp, 31 August 2008 15:20) "
sp,
for your info the Chinese are competiting against Japan to secure a pipeline in the Far East for Russian crude. My point is that Russia has no lack of customers. Oil reserves on the ground is an asset and will always be there until Russia decides to exchange it for foreign currency. And the foreign currency need not be Euros. The yuan and yen will do just fine. Europe's industries, transportation however will grind to a halt without oil. Remember that the EU is actually resource poor.
Serbia only needs China to maintain its veto over Kosovo's UN entry. In this aspect, Belgrade has found a reliable partner in Beijing.
(lowe, 1 September 2008 10:56)
Putin is right. The Chinese are so desperate to secure their supply of resources that they even courted Sudan and other African nations disliked by the West.
So if the West stop buying Russian gas and oil, Beijing will be most happy to take up the slack. And witht the great advantage of business WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED.
On the other hand, if Moscow cuts off gas and oil to the West this winter, THEY WILL FREEZE.
In other words, it is not really Russia BUT THE RESOURCE POOR WEST that should fear the sanctions!
(lowe, 31 August 2008 05:58)
Papajohn,
The question is why do you think Russia should be revived like a superpower? What have they actually contributed to the world order? Maybe ask Poland or Ukraine about them! I'm sure your neighbors are happy with bear Russia hanging over their necks...One more thing where do more Serb live in US or Russia? I don't really know the answer to this one but would be really surprised if its the latter!!! I'm afraid they're are just using you for their agenda at the moment. Georgia is a perfect example...
(Real Canadian, 31 August 2008 01:52)