Putin: "Pelosi's Taiwan Visit Was a Planned Provocation... Ukraine Used as Western's Bullet Sponge"

"Russia to Actively Improve International Security Landscape with Allies, Partners, and Friendly Countries"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Russian President Vladimir Putin on the 16th (local time) claimed that Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, visiting Taiwan was a "thoroughly planned provocation."

He also sharply criticized, saying, "The United States is increasing the possibility of conflicts in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and the West is dragging out the Ukraine situation, using it as a human shield."

According to TASS and other sources, President Putin made these criticisms toward the United States, Europe, and other Western countries during his welcoming speech at the Moscow International Security Conference on the same day.

President Putin stated, "Western leadership means global stagnation and narrow-minded, anti-liberal totalitarianism," and claimed, "The West is pursuing policies that restrict any other development paths to maintain the leadership slipping through its fingers."

He continued, "The West is trying to expand systems like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) into the Asia-Pacific region," and condemned, "Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan was a thoroughly planned provocation."

Furthermore, he raised the tone, saying, "The United States is increasing the possibility of conflicts in Asia, Africa, and Latin America," and "The United States is trying to drag out the Ukraine situation. The West is using Ukraine as a human shield."

President Putin emphasized, "As more countries choose independent paths, the outline of a multipolar world is taking shape. The end of the unipolar era is approaching," and added, "Russia will actively improve the international security landscape together with allies, partners, and friendly nations."

He added, "We will restore respect for international law and strengthen the status of the United Nations and other dialogue platforms."