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In Kremlin economy speech, Putin rails at West, tries to avert Russia recession In Kremlin economy speech, Putin rails at West, tries to avert Russia recession
(about 2 hours later)
MOSCOW – With recession looming, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the West has had his nation in the cross-hairs for “centuries” and outlined measures in response aimed at bolstering Russia’s self-sufficiency.MOSCOW – With recession looming, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the West has had his nation in the cross-hairs for “centuries” and outlined measures in response aimed at bolstering Russia’s self-sufficiency.
In an annual state-of-the-nation address, a fiery Putin blasted the West and “speculators” who he said were waging an economic war against Russia. He also made no concessions to Western sanctions, saying instead that they were a spur to bring offshore money home and to invest in Russian industry.In an annual state-of-the-nation address, a fiery Putin blasted the West and “speculators” who he said were waging an economic war against Russia. He also made no concessions to Western sanctions, saying instead that they were a spur to bring offshore money home and to invest in Russian industry.
And he gave no indication he would back down from Russian policy toward Ukraine, where a raging conflict has claimed more than 4,300 lives. Hours later, Secretary of State John F. Kerry blamed Russia for bringing on sanctions for its “own actions” in Ukraine.And he gave no indication he would back down from Russian policy toward Ukraine, where a raging conflict has claimed more than 4,300 lives. Hours later, Secretary of State John F. Kerry blamed Russia for bringing on sanctions for its “own actions” in Ukraine.
Putin’s speech came shortly after an outbreak of the worst violence in the Russian region of Chechnya in years, where Putin crushed an insurgency early in his presidency. Authorities said that at least nine gunmen and ten policemen were killed in a battle that destroyed a nine-story office building and a school in Grozny, the regional capital. Putin’s speech came shortly after an outbreak of the worst violence in the Russian region of Chechnya in years, where Putin crushed an insurgency early in his presidency. Authorities said that at least nine gunmen and 10 policemen were killed in a battle that destroyed a nine-story office building and a school in Grozny, the regional capital.
Putin outlined the conflict between Russia and the West in civilizational terms, giving little indication that relations would improve any time soon. He said that Russia’s March annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, which kicked off the worst stretch of relations between the West and Russia since the Cold War, was a “historic event” that would not be reversed. Putin outlined the conflict between Russia and the West in terms of civilization, giving little indication that relations would improve any time soon. He said that Russia’s March annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, which kicked off the worst stretch of relations between the West and Russia since the Cold War, was a “historic event” that would not be reversed.
Crimea “is of huge civilizational importance to Russia, just like the Temple Mount is to Judaism,” Putin said, asserting that foundational events in Russian history took place on the Black Sea peninsula.Crimea “is of huge civilizational importance to Russia, just like the Temple Mount is to Judaism,” Putin said, asserting that foundational events in Russian history took place on the Black Sea peninsula.
But he left the door open to Russian economic cooperation with the West, saying that “Russia will be open to the world,” even if it makes moves to improve its own self-sufficiency.But he left the door open to Russian economic cooperation with the West, saying that “Russia will be open to the world,” even if it makes moves to improve its own self-sufficiency.
Russia’s economy is expected to go into a recession next year, the result of plummeting oil prices and tough Western sanctions that have crimped investments. The ruble has slipped dramatically in recent weeks, and it has lost more than a third of its value against the dollar since July. In midday trading after Putin’s speech, it was down about 1 percent. Russia’s economy is expected to go into a recession next year, the result of plummeting oil prices and tough Western sanctions that have crimped investments. The ruble has fallen significantly in recent weeks, losing more than a third of its value against the dollar since July. In midday trading after Putin’s speech, it was down about 1 percent.
Putin said that the Western sanctions against his country were the product of a war against Russia that began long before the period he called the “Crimean Spring.” Putin said that Western sanctions against his country were the product of a war against Russia that began long before the period he called the “Crimean Spring.”
“I am convinced that if these events had not happened, they would have come up with another excuse seeking to restrain Russia's growing potential,” he said. The efforts to thwart Russia, he said, “have existed for decades if not for centuries.”“I am convinced that if these events had not happened, they would have come up with another excuse seeking to restrain Russia's growing potential,” he said. The efforts to thwart Russia, he said, “have existed for decades if not for centuries.”
In an effort to boost the economy, Putin said that he would freeze taxes on businesses and reduce government inspections of small and medium-sized enterprises that are found to be compliant with Russian regulations. He vowed to cut down on corruption and offered a full, no-questions-asked amnesty for Russians bringing back money from abroad. In an effort to boost the economy, Putin said that he would freeze taxes on businesses and reduce government inspections of small and midsize enterprises that are found to be compliant with Russian regulations. He vowed to cut down on corruption and offered a full, no-questions-asked amnesty for Russians bringing back money from abroad.
He also said that although Russia boosting its defense spending, it did not desire a new arms race with the West, saying that it had more inexpensive ways to strengthen its capabilities. He also said that although Russia is boosting its defense spending, it did not desire a new arms race with the West, saying that it had more inexpensive ways to strengthen its capabilities.
The speech came as violence in Chechnya sparked an unwelcome reminder of an earlier period of Islamist insurgency in the northern Caucasus region. An overnight deadly gunfight between authorities and a group of gunmen holed up in a publishing house in the capital city left one building torched and several dead.The speech came as violence in Chechnya sparked an unwelcome reminder of an earlier period of Islamist insurgency in the northern Caucasus region. An overnight deadly gunfight between authorities and a group of gunmen holed up in a publishing house in the capital city left one building torched and several dead.
Russian state news outlets said that militants had seized an office building in central Grozny and a nearby school building after killing three traffic police officers at a checkpoint. At least six gunmen were killed after the office building, used by newspapers and other news outlets, went up in flames.Russian state news outlets said that militants had seized an office building in central Grozny and a nearby school building after killing three traffic police officers at a checkpoint. At least six gunmen were killed after the office building, used by newspapers and other news outlets, went up in flames.
Images on state-run television showed dramatic scenes of military snipers and other units blocking off portions of downtown Grozny. Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee said that the operations had prevented “massive terrorist attacks,” TASS reported. Images on state-run television showed scenes of military snipers and other units blocking off portions of downtown Grozny. Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee said that the operations had prevented “massive terrorist attacks,” TASS reported.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said that authorities had recovered the bodies of nine gunmen as of Thursday afternoon, and that they were still searching for more. Up to 10 law enforcement officers may have been killed during the shootout, Interfax reported.Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said that authorities had recovered the bodies of nine gunmen as of Thursday afternoon, and that they were still searching for more. Up to 10 law enforcement officers may have been killed during the shootout, Interfax reported.
Chechnya has enjoyed a tense peace under Kadyrov, who has employed strongman tactics to enforce calm in the southern Russian territory that fought two separatist wars in the decade following the breakup of the Soviet Union. An individual claiming links to Chechen Islamic separatist leader Aslan Byutukayev claimed responsibility for the attack in a YouTube video Thursday, but the claims and source of the video could not be confirmed.Chechnya has enjoyed a tense peace under Kadyrov, who has employed strongman tactics to enforce calm in the southern Russian territory that fought two separatist wars in the decade following the breakup of the Soviet Union. An individual claiming links to Chechen Islamic separatist leader Aslan Byutukayev claimed responsibility for the attack in a YouTube video Thursday, but the claims and source of the video could not be confirmed.
In his address, Putin encouraged people to trust that the security services “will be able to deal with this situation.”In his address, Putin encouraged people to trust that the security services “will be able to deal with this situation.”
Karoun Demirjian contributed to this report.Karoun Demirjian contributed to this report.