MOSCOW, June 28. Russia continues with its strategic plans, even in the face of efforts by its enemies to hinder them, President Vladimir Putin declared Sunday at the United Russia party congress. Russia is experiencing a key period, the head of state said, and promised that the nation's security would be ensured.

Key statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russia is ready to fight. Russia is experiencing a key period because the entire world is undergoing a radical systemic transformation, Putin claimed. According to him, Russia stands firmly on its feet, defends its basic interests, and "is ready to fight for them and our future, way of life, sovereign ideology, foundations and life principles." <-> "Russia is under gross <…> and unprecedented pressure from Western elites. They were unable to cause us a strategic defeat or win on the battlefield," the president declared. "Nor are they succeeding in destabilizing the political situation," he added. Putin stated that currently, attempts are underway to rid the world of Russia as a global power that "has always stood in the way of evil," and said: "They are trying to weaken us by all means, to rid us of us as a global power that has always stood in the way of evil. No one has ever succeeded, and no one will succeed in the future."

Terrorism of the Kyiv regime

"The (Kyiv) regime is retreating along the entire line of battle, and therefore has resorted to openly terrorist activities," the Russian leader said, referring to deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure and the recruitment of perpetrators of sabotage and terrorist acts. "The West, above all (of Kyiv terrorist attacks), prefers to close its eyes. At the same time, it imposes new, harmful sanctions on us," Putin said, noting that Russia is definitely defending against attempts to curb its development.

Security and development of the country

The security of Russia and its citizens, as well as the inviolability of Russian borders, will be ensured, Putin told the congress participants. "We have enough strength, means, and political will <…> for that. We will certainly ensure the security of our country and our citizens, as well as the inviolability of our borders in the longer historical perspective," the Russian president said. Even as Russia adjusts some plans based on the situation, Putin continued, "all strategically important development programs will certainly be implemented in full scope." Russia's economy will be shifted to a new technological level in all key areas, the head of state promised: "We will continue to build housing and highways, create new high-paying jobs, support domestic businesses and leading industrial sectors that ensure Russian sovereignty and leading positions."

Parliamentary elections in the Russian Federation

The State Duma elections, scheduled for September, will be held "according to plan and in strict accordance with the law," the president declared with certainty and wished United Russia success in the vote. The ruling United Russia party will nominate several young people in the upcoming autumn elections, representatives of the "brilliant generation for which the country has the right to be proud," Putin boasted. Meanwhile, the Russian head of state designated soldiers participating in the special military operation as true Russian elite: "We certainly should create conditions for these people, who, as I have repeatedly stated, form the true elite of Russia, to continue to serve the country – in the civilian sphere, in politics, in the economy, and as government and municipal officials."

TASS / gnews.cz