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Putin at the Valdai Discussion Club Plenary Session

Putin at the Valdai Club Plenary Session

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Putin and other participants in the annual gathering discussed "The Dawn of the East and the World Political Order."

The US dominated West throughout modern history is declining in power and influence, the East rising.

Putin welcomed attendees, saying "(a)ccording to tradition, on this platform, we try to put aside current political problems, even diplomatic discussions, and strive to discuss the long-term perspective in a historical, cultural and philosophical context and to look into the future and outline it."

The above topic is relevant to the times. Asia today, the most heavily populated continent, "is regaining its natural place in international affairs, which is commensurate with its great heritage and today's undoubtedly vast and growing potential," said Putin, adding:

It's evident in the region's economic growth and technological development, outpacing the West.

"Asian states are striving to play a bigger role in world politics. This is an absolutely natural process" in accordance with "the realities of today and tomorrow."

"(G)lobal problems cannot be resolved without Asia…The world has become multi-polar and, hence more complicated largely owing to the Asian countries."

"(W)e have entered an era with no world order whatsoever," no single state dominating all others, the longterm trend moving more sharply in this direction.

Today's increasingly interconnected world makes mutual cooperation among countries essential for security and aims of nation states.

Putin highlighted how Russia's intervention in Syria four years ago changed the dynamic on the ground, eliminating terrorism in large parts of the country, Syrian forces greatly aided in their liberating struggle.

Putin: "We defeated the terrorist international that was actually winning on Syrian territory, and we prevented the return, the infiltration of hundreds and later, perhaps, thousands of armed cut-throats into our country and neighboring countries with whom we have a visa-free regime. Our borders are transparent."

The US-supported terrorist threat was greatly diminished, not defeated, nor elsewhere regionally or in other nations where Washington uses jihadists as proxy foot soldiers.

Syrian and Russian forces made great advances toward eliminating the scourge of terrorism in the country, while observing international laws and norms, Putin stressed — polar opposite how the US and its imperial partners operate.

Putin: "I am convinced that these approaches can be used to resolve other existing problems in the world, including in Asia, such as for example, the situation on the Korean Peninsula," adding:

"(T)he most complicated conflicts, such as the Palestinian-Israeli and Afghani or the situation around the Iran nuclear deal, can and must be resolved on the principles of mutual cooperation, respect, recognition of all the parties' interests and rejection of any kind of blinkers or philosophy of blocs."

"Our country is focused on stepping up security and stability, on fighting international terrorism and other threats and challenges. We act for the sake of establishing – including in Asia – a system of equal and indivisible security resting on far-ranging and collective work."

On Thursday, Putin said if the US deploys nuclear-capable and/or other missiles threatening Russian security, "we would do the same thing," adding: 

"But we said in advance that we would not deploy missiles — considered we ever got medium-range ground-based missiles — to those regions until US-made missiles were moved there. I said it five times. No one reacted, neither in the US nor in Europe."

"Things will only get worse" if the Trump regime takes this step. "It got worse after the US left the INF (Treaty). Now we are waiting for the next (hostile) decision."

He urged Saudi Arabia and Iran not to use Syria "as a platform for confrontation" — or Yemen for the same purpose.

Steps (by the US) to challenge China's development are "destructive and harmful" — nor can they work, he stressed.

China and Russia united can effectively hold their own against hostile US challenges.

Putin said Moscow is helping Beijing build a missile defense early warning system to protect against aggressive ballistic missile launches, adding:

"(T)his is a very serious thing that will radically enhance China's defense capability of the People's Republic of China because only the United States and Russia have such a system at present."

The move further highlights close bilateral ties, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying "Russia has special relations with China of advanced partnership…including the most sensitive (areas) linked to military-technical cooperation and security and defense capabilities."

Putin proposed what US hardliners reject, saying Russia, China, the US, EU, India, and other nations should "create…an organization for security and cooperation in this region," including the Middle East, adding:

Moscow "is focused on strengthening security and stability, on combating international terrorism, other challenges and threats." 

"We are in favor of creating, including in Asia, a system of equal and indivisible security based on broad collective work."

US strategy and tactics are polar opposite, seeking dominance over other nations, their resources and populations - by brute force if other methods fail.

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