Putin declares end of "neo-colonialism" in international politics

President Vladimir Putin has declared the demise of “neo-colonialism” in international relations and lauded Russia’s economic strategy amid strained ties with the West, in a speech delivered at the annual economic forum in Saint Petersburg.

The forum, which has witnessed a decline in participation since Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine in February 2022 and subsequent sanctions imposed by Western nations, provided a platform for Putin to assert his views.

Putin stated, “The repugnant neo-colonial system of international relations has ceased to exist, while the multi-polar global order is gaining strength,” emphasizing the inevitability of this transformation. The Russian leader has consistently criticized the United States’ dominance in global politics, framing Moscow’s actions in Ukraine as a defense against a decadent West.

Moreover, Putin accused Western nations of rejecting dialogue with Russia while hinting at the possibility of future talks. “We will see when and on what terms we can engage with them,” he stated. The president acknowledged that Russia endured significant challenges during the second quarter of the previous year, characterized by unprecedented sanctions imposed by the West. Nevertheless, he affirmed that the chosen strategies, embraced by both the state and Russian businesses, had proven successful. Putin also mentioned that approximately half of the Russians who had left the country following the Ukraine offensive had returned.

“While this process is ongoing, those who wish to reside elsewhere are free to do so,” Putin remarked, acknowledging that many Russians had chosen to live in the United Arab Emirates, as well as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. He expressed no objections to their decisions, stating, “Let people live where they see fit.”

The Kremlin announced that this year’s forum carried the theme of “Sovereign Development as the Bedrock of a Just World.”