Putin expressed hope that the West will abandon confrontation with Russia

Statement at the ceremony in the Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope that countries not yet ready to cooperate with Moscow will reconsider their attitude and abandon confrontation. The statement was made on November 4 at a ceremony presenting state awards and prizes for contributions to strengthening the unity of the Russian nation, timed to National Unity Day, reports Life.ru.

Content of the speech

Putin thanked the representatives of foreign states present at the ceremony for their work in developing relations with Russia and emphasized that Moscow seeks cooperation and counts on mutual interest in dialogue. «And those who are not yet ready, drawing on your example and on the examples of our other friends in many countries around the world, will nevertheless make the right conclusions and adjust their attitude, will not strive for confrontation but, on the contrary, will strive for cooperation,» the outlet quotes the Russian leader as saying.

Context

Among the awardees were Russian and foreign public figures who contributed to strengthening cultural ties and mutual understanding between peoples. Earlier, as Life.ru notes, Putin had already called on foreign countries to see Moscow's true intentions and to be convinced of its readiness for cooperation, emphasizing that Russia «has never threatened anyone and does not threaten anyone», and that this position is important to understand not only for citizens of foreign states but also for their political leadership. The November 4 statement essentially repeats this line, but is addressed specifically to countries not yet ready for dialogue with Moscow.