Interview with Local Media Ahead of Mongolia Visit
"West Also Suppresses Russian Correspondents," Claims Made
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine was caused by the West and expressed his intention to continue the war for Russia's security.
According to major foreign media including TASS on the 2nd (local time), President Putin said in an interview with the Mongolian media outlet Anuder released that day, "The tragic situation in Ukraine today is due to the anti-Russian policies of Western powers led by the United States," criticizing, "They have continuously instilled in Ukraine that Russia is an eternal enemy and a threat to the state, and Ukraine has become their bargaining chip."
He continued, "Above all, Western elites treat Ukraine as a weapon against Russia and continue to provide large-scale political, financial, and military support to the current (Ukrainian) regime," emphasizing, "We will continue the difficult fight to ensure the safety of Russia and our people and to accomplish all the tasks of the special military operation (the war in Ukraine)."
This interview with President Putin came amid intensified exchanges between both sides following last month's Ukrainian raid on Russian territory. Recently, the Ukrainian military reportedly launched a large-scale drone attack targeting power plants and oil refineries within Russia, including Moscow. The Associated Press reported that this Ukrainian drone attack is considered the largest since the outbreak of the war in 2022. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it shot down 158 Ukrainian drones.
President Putin also raised suspicions that Western powers are persecuting their own journalists. He said, "The West, which considers itself the standard of freedom, has begun suppressing Russian correspondents to hide uncomfortable truths and information," claiming that Russia guarantees freedom of the press unlike the West. However, Russia permanently banned the entry of 92 Americans, including journalists from major U.S. newspapers, on the 28th of last month.
President Putin also spoke about the energy agreement with Mongolia that day. He said that they are discussing an intergovernmental agreement to supply fuel and lubricants to Mongolia at preferential prices and that the finalization process is underway. He also mentioned the construction of the Mongolian Transgas Pipeline connecting China and Russia, adding, "In recent years, we have been carrying out new promising economic and industrial projects."
Earlier, the Kremlin stated, "President Putin will officially visit Mongolia on the 3rd at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Kh?rels?kh to discuss ways to develop bilateral relations and international issues and to sign several documents." In response, Ukraine has urged Mongolia, a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), to execute an arrest warrant. ICC member states have an international legal obligation to execute arrest warrants if the accused enters their territory. However, the court does not have the authority to enforce the arrest.
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