Russia's Pivot to the East Not Related to Events in Ukraine

"The point is not that we are making some kind of strategic U-turn in connection with the events in Ukraine. Since the 2000s, as I have said many times, we have really begun to prioritize this aspect of our interaction. Not because we have any problems with our European partners. No. This is because the economies of the countries of the East and the countries of the Global South are developing at a faster pace than the economies of Western countries," Putin said in an interview with Nomad TV editor-in-chief Natalia Krolevich.

The engine of global economic growth has moved to Asia and the Global South, and they are rapidly outpacing the West, Putin pointed out.

"The economies of the countries of the East, the countries of the Global South, are developing at a faster pace than the economies of Western countries. The pace is growing here, in the East, and not in the European part of our subcontinent," Putin explained.

Putin also spotlighted the economic damage the European Union inflicted on itself from its refusal to cooperate with Russia on energy, pointing to the bloc's weakening competitiveness, while also noting that the German economy is now in its third year of recession.

"After the events in Ukraine, the Europeans themselves began to isolate themselves from us. In the energy sector, they have experienced the well-known result: competitiveness is declining, and the German economy has been in recession for the third year in a row," Putin said in the interview.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also said that he hopes for an end to the conflict in Ukraine, but only if the goals of the special military operation are achieved

Vladimir Putin commended Russia's partners from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) operating in the Russian market as reliable and stable

Vladimir Putin said Russia is "ready to work with everyone" and would not oppose a European decision to return to economic cooperation

While Russia and Kyrgyzstan are exploring avenues to mitigate sanctions, their primary focus remains on building a sustainable future

Kyrgyzstan already receives oil and gas from Russia at the lowest prices, creating favorable conditions for the republic

Russia has been assisting Kyrgyzstan in its efforts to promote education in Russian and opening Russian-language schools across the Central Asian naiton

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Russia's Pivot to the East Not Related to Events in Ukraine - Putin