Putin sees the economic sanctions as an opportunity to strengthen Russia’s economic independence

Europe, News March 12, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his Belarusian counterpart and close ally, Alexander Lukashenko in a bilateral in-person meeting in Moscow on Mach 11.

The meeting between the two leaders was focused on addressing the economic sanctions that have been imposed on Russia amid its ongoing “military operation” in Ukraine, according to the Russian sources.

During the meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his support and ties with Belarus against the western countries by stating, “Recent years have shown that where Westerners imposed restrictions against us, we acquired new competencies and restored old ones at a new technological level.”

He further added that the sanctions are in fact a “time of opportunity to move towards strengthening technological and economic sovereignty.”

The two leaders reaffirmed that the cooperation between their countries would grow further during this difficult time and provide the region with unprecedented economic sovereignty which would help the regional and local economies grow further.

According to Belarusian presidential press secretary Natalia Eismont, both leaders agreed on “joint steps on mutual support amid the sanction pressure, including on prices on energy source.” Presidents of Russia and Belarus also agreed on the supplies of modern models of military equipment to Minsk, the press secretary of the Belarusian president said.

*^{President of Russia Vladimir Putin (R) with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko (L) (Image Credit: Kremlin)}*

Belarusian President Lukashenko also agreed with Russian President Putin on his stance about economic sanctions being an opportunity to achieve economic independence.

Lukashenko further added that he is glad about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as many western controlled biological weapons labs and nuclear energy sites were starting to become a greater threat to regional security if Russia did not take control.

As the western economic sanctions continue to tighten up, the Russian currency fell further 10% reaching the lowest recorded value of 117 against one U.S. dollar.

United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that “We have isolated Russia financially. The ruble has been in a free fall. The Russian stock market is closed. Russia has been effectively shut out of the international financial system,” Yellen further added that the Russian central bank’s access to its reserves has been completely cut off.