Vladimir Putin promises to make his country a “sovereign power” if re-elected

It was his first campaign speech ahead of the March 2024 presidential election. Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to make Russia a “sovereign power” during a speech to the ruling party on Sunday, December 17.

“Russia will be a sovereign and self-sufficient power, otherwise it will no longer exist at all”declared Vladimir Putin in front of senior officials of the United Russia party, while the country has been under Western sanctions since the start of its offensive in Ukraine in February 2022. “Russia cannot, like some countries, renounce its sovereignty in exchange for a few sausages and become someone’s satellite”launched the Russian leader in an apparent reference to Ukraine.

Accusing Westerners of seeking to “collapse the Russian economy and social sphere”he called the “patriotic forces” of the country to combine their efforts in the face of “historical tasks” who are waiting for Moscow. He called “all Russian people” has “defend the sovereignty, freedom, security of Russia, everything that is dear to us, our history, our culture, our values ​​​​and our traditions”.

A re-election that leaves little doubt

Vladimir Putin announced last week his intention to run for a fifth term in the March 2024 presidential election. His re-election is in little doubt, any real opposition having been methodically eliminated in Russia in recent years.

The head of United Russia, former President Dmitry Medvedev, assured him on Sunday that his party “will do everything” to support the candidacy of Vladimir Putin. He welcomed the fact that Russia had “could withstand colossal pressure” from Westerners. According to the former president, a victory for Vladimir Putin in March 2024 will allow “finally gain the upper hand over the forces that threaten security and sovereignty” from the country.