"As I said it on numerous occasions in the past — our response to external restrictions is the broadening of the freedom of enterprise and protection of property rights, the rights of those who work and conduct business honestly," Putin said at a meeting with businessmen in the Kremlin.
"We are planning to improve the activities of all law-enforcement, investigative and judicial bodies, as well as to develop economic ties with other countries, in order to expand the potential of our domestic business," Putin added.
The United States and the European Union introduced several rounds of diplomatic and economic sanctions on Russia in 2014 over its alleged meddling in Ukraine’s internal affairs. The allegations have repeatedly been refuted by Moscow
On Monday, the European Union prolonged its economic sanctions against Russia for another six months. Following the move, the United States extended its anti-Russian sanctions by targeting 34 individuals and entities on Tuesday.