Putin says Russia weathering sanctions, lectures West

[Little Tich]

Source: Yahoo! News / Reuters

ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin boasted on Friday that Russia had found the "inner strength" to prevent sanctions causing a deep economic crisis, and told the West to stop using "the language of ultimatums."

Investment in Russia has slowed to a trickle, capital flight has risen and the economy has been sliding into recession since oil prices tumbled last year and the West imposed economic sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine crisis.

But in a 29-minute speech to a business forum and a question-and-answer session that lasted more than an hour, Putin ignored calls by many investors to unveil new plans to end the downturn.

Instead, he warned the West not to meddle in Moscow's affairs and shifted blame for the conflict in Ukraine onto the West, primarily the United States.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/putin-says-russia-weathering-sanctions-lectures-west-161933301--business.html

[BillZBubb]

1. There's a little "Baghdad Bob" in Putin.

But a lot more bully. The West needs to keep the pressure on.

[Demeter]

2. Russia knows how to endure, and prevail

and Putin is the only adult in the room.

The economic sanctions are so childish, they are laughable. The premise is that the Oligarachy is still in charge in Russia and they will take steps to stop the sanctions from cutting into their profiteering.

Nyet. Not any more. That's why they hate Putin. They cannot control him. Nor can the US, the EU, or George Soros.

[Cayenne]

3. They will endure

They have no debt, much gold, and Chinese friends. Sanctions will have little effect.