Tonatiuh Icalaquianpan

'As for the death of the Russian economy, as a famous writer once said, 'The report of my death was an exaggeration.' In this case, it is the same,' Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin

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The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is held on June 18-21. The 28th edition of the forum is themed "Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World."

Sputnik Africa is live as Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking part in the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

The following high-level attendees are also taking part in the plenary session:

⇒ Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto,
⇒ China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang,
⇒ South Africa's Vice President Paul Mashatile,
⇒ Bahrein's National Security Advisor and Commander of the Royal Guard Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad al Khalifa.

The Russian top official is expected to assess the state of Russia's relations with a number of key foreign partners and the international situation affecting Russia's economy, according to the Kremlin.

Putin has already touched upon global issues during SPIEF 2025. In the early hours of Thursday, he met with international news agencies' heads and addressed topics including the Middle East, NATO's military upgrades, the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, relations with the US and other partner countries.

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RT's Igor Kourachenko interviews Captain Ibrahim Traore Burkinabe President

Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré called for carrying forward the legacy of the anti-imperialist and anti-colonial struggle during and after World War II. Traoré is in Moscow as a guest at the 80th-anniversary parade celebrating the victory over fascism ending WWII.

'It’s not terrorism. It’s imperialism.' – Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré slammed French media for waging an ideological war to sustain colonial domination. Propaganda, he argued, like arms, is part of the Western arsenal—used to manufacture war and justify foreign control.

Traoré points to foreign instructors, drone specialists, and explosives teams in mining zones. 'Their objective is to keep us in a state of permanent war, stop development, and continue to exploit our resources.'

His remarks come amid a regional rupture in the postcolonial order. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have expelled French forces, withdrawn from ECOWAS, and formed the Alliance of Sahel States, i.e., Alliance des États du Sahel, (AES)—a bloc built on military cooperation and rejection of French influence.

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Translated poetry:

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We are Russians.

One eccentric with a falsely sad face,
"Huddling" in the cabin of his "Porsche",
Said: "I am ashamed to be called Russian.
We are a nation of talentless alcoholics."

A respectable appearance, a manner of behavior -
Everything is cleverly thought out by the devil.
But the merciless virus of degeneration
Ignominiously ground down all his insides.

His soul is not worth a penny,
Like a yellow leaf from broken branches.
But the descendant of the Ethiopians Pushkin
Was not burdened by his Russianness.

They considered themselves Russian by right
And raised the Motherland from its knees
The creators of Russian seafaring glory
Both Bellingshausen and Kruzenshtern.

And not putting up with a narrow worldview,
Trying to look beyond the horizon,
The Scots considered it an honor to be called Russian
— Greig, de Tolly and Lermont.

Any of them is worthy of admiration,
After all, to sing the praises of the Motherland is a law for them!
So the Georgian prince Bagration gave his life without regret
For Rus'.

Our language is multifaceted, precise, true —
It heals the soul, then strikes like steel.
Are we capable of appreciating it immensely
And knowing it, as the Dane Dahl knew?

What about Dahl! And in our time, are there many
Who know the Great Language
No worse than Mykola Gogol,
Who was once acquainted with Pushkin?

It is not worth banging your head against the wall
And spitting in vain in rage!
"We are Russians!" — that's what Shevchenko said.
Read the kobzar more attentively.

Cherishing filial love in their souls,
All their lives they worked hard
Suvorov, Ushakov and Mendeleyev,
Kulibin, Lomonosov and Popov.

Their names remained on the tablets
As the basics of true history.
And among them, like a pillar, is old Derzhavin,
In whose veins is the blood of a Tatar murza.

They instilled and nurtured love
From age-old sources and roots.
He is Russian, whose soul lives in Russia,
Whose thoughts are about mother, about her.

.
Patriotism is not sold as a bonus
To berets, boots or coats.
And if you are ashamed to call yourself Russian,
You, my dear fellow, are not Russian. You are nobody.

At the end of this publication, as its author, I want to emphasize that I am not for the "father-tsar", but I am for "Mother Rus'"...

Remember and never forget the famous words: "Our cause is just, the enemy will be defeated, victory will be ours!"

On the start of the Liberation of Sudzha, Kursk, March 08, 2025...

🇷🇺 It was a shock for the enemy: 800 fighters broke through the gas pipeline to the rear of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Sudzha, paralyzing the occupiers - the former commander of the Wagner Group talks about Operation Potok ≈ Flow

- The former commander of the 3rd assault squad of the Wagner PMC "Zombie" - Hero of Russia, holder of six (!) Orders of Courage, participant in operations in Syria, the Central African Republic and the North Caucasus Military District, and now the commander of the Vostok DRShB, spoke about the incredible special operation in the Kursk region.

- The operation was developed over three weeks, and large forces and measures were involved.

- To pass through the pipe, it was necessary to stop the gas supply, pump out the gas and pump oxygen into the pipe.

- Then they began equipping exits to the surface, storage facilities for personnel, bringing in ammunition and water, equipping toilets - this took more than three weeks.

- The personnel plant itself went for 4 days: DShRB "Veterans", brigade "Vostok", 30th regiment, 11th airborne brigade and group "Aida" special forces "Akhmat" went 15 km, having received the order - suddenly attacked the enemy positions in the rear, shocking and paralyzing. As a result, many settlements were liberated.

@Slavyangrad via Pepe Escobar's Telegram

The Pipe to Sudhza, How Russian Forces Broke In

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The goal was sabotage in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU's) rear... it was a shock for the AFU. Eight hundred(800) fighters broke through the gas pipeline to the rear of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Sudhza, paralyzing Ukrainian troops.

There may be no connection for a while, we may be on a one-way trip right now. Suicide squad. The boys knew they were going to their deaths but they went -- on their own -- voluntarily. It's a crazy plan but we have no other. It has to work. They walked knowing that they could die on their way. And if not, then right after...

From fragmentary information from completely different people, friends, relatives, a terrible puzzle was put together, piece-by-piece. Underground to get to Sudhza there was only one way. When the picture came together completely, horror and emptiness settled inside. It really seemed like a guaranteed one-way ticket, to walk, to crawl almost fifteen(15) kilometers through a narrow, dirty, tunnel 1.45 meters in diameter with fumes from the remains of liquified gas. To sit in a pipe waiting for the command to storm for several more days; to breath-in methane fumes, excrement, vomit of those who were the first to be poisoned and there was no longer any possibility of sending for evacuation from this point, when the enemy is closer than our own; when water and food are almost gone; when the weight drags on. Not to go crazy, not to die from an attack of claustrophobia, not to have a panick attack. No, no, no. Hundreds of nos... that made these Russians real supermen in the eyes of the whole world. This is not the limit of human capabilities; it is far beyond them.

A warrior goes into every battle prepared to die; but the trick was to go being prepared to die -- not into battle -- but into the journey. The feat with a capital letter of ordinary Russian soldiers was written in these days. And it will be included in history textbooks, military art, films will be made about it, and books will be written. They will not be able to convey only one thing: the chilling horror of those who remained in the rear only to guess -- not knowing for sure -- but such is the path. And I am not sure that anyone can understand what these guys, the salt of the earth felt whose eternal glory will live as long as those who remember, and can pass on the memory of their feat to other generations, are alive.

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It is 'natural' for the genocidal, terrorist, fascist, narcissist West to try to downplay the lion's share of Stalin's Soviet contribution to victory over Nazi Germany amid geopolitical tensions, as this policy is just another angle to attack Russia, Putin has said. At the same time, Moscow would welcome all representatives of foreign countries, including Western ones, who would like to attend the 80th anniversary of Victory Day in Russia next year, Mr. Chingon [Badass] Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, added.

'Questions from Russian citizens focused on domestic issues, while AI helped in processing over 1.7 million inquiries'

Russian President Vladimir Putin held his annual end-of-year press conference in Moscow on Thursday, combining it with the ‘Direct Line’ question-and-answer session.

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Успехи в экономике и ракетная дуэль с США. Что пишут СМИ об «Итогах года» с Путиным : "Economic successes and a missile duel with the United States. What the media write about the 'Results of the year' with Putin"
...
The Guardian

Обращаясь к западному скептицизму по поводу «Орешника», российский президент предложил обеим сторонам выбрать определенную цель, которую будут защищать американские ракеты. «Мы готовы к такому эксперименту», — сказал Путин.

Ракета, которая может нести ядерные заряды, используется для повышения ставок в конфликте с Западом. Она уже использовалась в качестве ответа на запуск Украиной американских ракет ATACMS и британских Storm Shadow. Источники в США и Великобритании указали, что дальности «Орешника» достаточно для нанесения удара по Европе.

≈

The Guardian

Addressing Western skepticism about the Oreshnik, the Russian president suggested that both sides choose a specific target that the American missiles will protect. "We are ready for such an experiment," Putin said.

A missile that can carry nuclear warheads is being used to raise the stakes in a conflict with the West. It has already been used as a response to Ukraine's launch of American ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles. Sources in the United States and the United Kingdom indicated that the range of the "Hazel" is enough to strike at Europe.

🗣Putin on Middle East mess: Russia stands for independent Palestine, Israel ‘main beneficiary’ of Syria turmoil

💬 “The resolution of Palestine issue can be attained only with the help of removing the root causes,” President Putin said at his year-end presser.

💬 “The Security Council…opted in favor of a two-state solution: Israel and Palestine. Israel was established, Palestine is yet to be established. This is the issue, this is the problem, and Israel has been continuing its unlawful settlement activities to date. I'm not sure what goals Israel is pursuing in Gaza, but this merits only condemnation,” Putin emphasized.

...

💬 As for the crisis more broadly, Israel has proven “the main beneficiary,” according to the Russian president, who cited Israel’s seizure of Syrian territories in the Golan Heights, and the growing risks of Syria’s collapse as a state.

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Position of strength: Here’s why Putin’s Direct Line was so important

Speaking from a position of strength, Putin projected an image of a leader in control, guiding a nation that is defying the odds and reshaping the global order

By Nadezhda Romanenko, political analyst

On December 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin held his annual ‘Direct Line’ session, a unique combination of a press conference and a call-in show, that once again showcased his strategic positioning both domestically and internationally. This year, the overarching theme of his address was clear: Russia is speaking from a position of strength. Whether addressing the conflict with Ukraine, relations with the West, or Russia’s military prowess, Putin projected confidence and control. This strength underscores why Russia appears to be winning the war against Ukraine and solidifying its stance against Western powers.

Russia’s advances in the Ukraine conflict: Tactical superiority

Putin’s acknowledgment of Russia’s daily advances against Ukraine highlights the nation’s tactical and strategic superiority in the ongoing conflict. Russian forces have been liberating settlements and reclaiming territory, a development that marks a turning point in the conflict. While the Ukrainian resistance has been formidable, bolstered by Western aid and weaponry, Russia’s methodical approach to its military objectives has shifted the momentum decisively in its favor.

The Kremlin’s military operations have been accompanied by advanced technological integration and effective logistics, allowing for sustained campaigns even in the face of Western sanctions. By emphasizing these daily successes, Putin not only reassures the Russian populace of eventual victory but also signals to the international community that the conflict is far from over and that Russia is far from being subdued.

Moreover, Putin’s refusal to provide a timeline for the war’s conclusion reflects a deliberate strategy. By avoiding a definitive endpoint, he maintains flexibility, ensuring that Russia can adapt to evolving battlefield dynamics while keeping its adversaries guessing. This approach also underscores his confidence in the ultimate outcome – a confidence borne of a position of strength.

The Oreshnik missile: A game-changer

Central to Putin’s narrative of strength is the Oreshnik missile, a cutting-edge intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that has recently entered mass production. Its combat debut against Ukraine, striking critical infrastructure with devastating precision, marked a watershed moment in modern warfare. The Oreshnik’s capability to evade interception by existing Western missile defense systems elevates it from a mere weapon to a strategic deterrent.

This missile’s deployment sends an unambiguous message to the West: any military confrontation with Russia risks catastrophic consequences. By effectively rendering missile defense systems obsolete, the Oreshnik shifts the balance of power in Russia’s favor. Western policymakers now face the sobering reality that their military and technological edge is not as unassailable as once thought.

Putin’s emphasis on the Oreshnik’s capabilities during the Direct Line event underscores his confidence in Russia’s military innovations. It also reinforces the notion that Russia’s strength lies not just in traditional military might but in its ability to leverage advanced technologies to reshape the strategic landscape.

Speaking from a position of strength

Putin’s rhetoric during the Direct Line session was that of a leader who knows he holds the upper hand. His willingness for dialogue with US President-elect Donald Trump on resolving the Ukraine conflict further illustrates this point. Far from signaling weakness, Putin’s openness to negotiations reflects a calculated move to solidify Russia’s gains and potentially force the West into concessions. By framing himself as a reasonable actor willing to engage in dialogue, he positions Russia as a power that seeks stability while simultaneously advancing its strategic objectives.

Domestically, Putin addressed concerns about the economy, acknowledging issues like high inflation and the overheating of the Russian market. However, his framing of these challenges as manageable within the broader context of Russia’s resilience and sovereignty reinforces his message of control. By attributing economic pressures to Western sanctions and external factors, he deflects criticism and rallies domestic support against external adversaries.

Why Russia is winning

Putin’s confident tone and strategic messaging during the Direct Line encapsulate why Russia is winning the conflict with Ukraine. First, the country’s military advancements and territorial gains demonstrate its ability to sustain and succeed in protracted conflicts. Second, the introduction of game-changing technology like the Oreshnik missile neutralizes Western military advantages, forcing adversaries to reassess their strategies.

Furthermore, Russia’s ability to endure economic sanctions and maintain domestic stability contrasts sharply with the challenges faced by Ukraine and its Western allies. The prolonged conflict has strained Western unity, with differing priorities and approaches among NATO members. Meanwhile, Russia’s centralized leadership and cohesive strategy allow for more decisive action.

As the war against Ukraine continues, the West must grapple with the reality that Russia is not merely a regional power but a formidable force capable of challenging the established order. Whether through military advancements or strategic diplomacy, Putin’s Russia is demonstrating that strength – both perceived and real – remains the ultimate currency in global affairs.

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