Speech by Vladimir Putin at the Valdai Foundation (Part 2)

On October 27, 2022, the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, gave a speech at the Valdai Discussion Club Foundation that I find very interesting. Allow me, dear readers of this column, to introduce you to Part 2 of this talk:

Thus today, the vast majority of the international community demands democracy in international affairs and rejects any form of authoritarian rule by individual countries or groups of countries. What is this but the direct application of democratic principles to international relations? What position has the civilized West taken? If they are Democrats, they are supposed to embrace the natural desire for freedom expressed by billions of people, but they don’t. The West calls it an undermining of the rules-based liberal order. It resorts to economic and trade wars, sanctions, boycotts and color revolutions and prepares and carries out coups of all kinds. One of them had tragic consequences in Ukraine in 2014. They supported it and even specified how much money they had spent on this coup. They have the audacity to act as they please and have no qualms about what they do. They killed Soleimani, an Iranian general. You can think what you want about Soleimani, but he was an official of a foreign state. They killed him in a third country and claimed responsibility. What in God’s name is that supposed to mean? What world do we live in? They nip everything in the bud, even not hesitating to impose sanctions on their allies, who bow their heads in agreement.

As usual, Washington continues to refer to the current international order as American-style liberal, but in reality, this infamous order is multiplying chaos every day and, I might add, becoming more and more intolerant even of Western countries and their efforts to act independently. For example, Hungarian MEPs’ proposals in July to codify a commitment to European Christian values ​​and culture in the Treaty on European Union were not even seen as an insult, but as an act of blatant and hostile sabotage. What is this? What it means? Indeed, some may like it, some may not. It’s incredible. Without exaggeration, this is not even a systemic crisis, but rather a doctrinal crisis of the American neoliberal model of international order. They have no ideas of progress and positive development. They simply have nothing to offer the world but to perpetuate their rule. I am convinced that true democracy in a multipolar world consists primarily in the ability of each nation, persistent society or any culture, to go its own way and organize its own socio-political system. If the United States or the countries of the EU enjoy this right, so do, without a doubt, the countries of Asia, the Islamic State, the monarchies of the Persian Gulf, and the countries of other continents. Of course, our country, Russia, also has this right, and no one will be able to tell our people what kind of society we should build and what principles should be based on it.

An immediate threat to the Western political, economic and ideological monopoly lies in the fact that the world can devise more effective alternative social models. I want to emphasize this, more effective today, brighter and more attractive than what exists today. These models will undoubtedly emerge. This is inevitable. By the way, American political scientists and analysts also write about this. The truth is, their government isn’t listening, although they can’t help but see these concepts in political science journals and mentioned in debates. Development must be based on dialogue between cultures and spiritual and moral values. Indeed, the understanding of what man is and his nature varies among cultures, but this difference is usually superficial, and all recognize the absolute dignity and spiritual essence of human beings. It is vital that we have a common foundation on which we can and must build our future. Here is something I would like to point out. Traditional values ​​are not a rigid set of principles that everyone must adhere to, of course not.

The difference with the so-called neoliberal values ​​is that they are unique in each specific case, because they come from the traditions of a particular society, its culture and its historical baggage. That is why traditional values ​​cannot be imposed on anyone. You just have to respect them and carefully handle everything that each nation has chosen for itself over the centuries. This is how we understand traditional values ​​and the majority of humanity shares and accepts our approach. It is understandable, because the traditional societies of the East, Latin America, Africa and Eurasia form the basis of world culture. Respect for the usages and customs of peoples and cultures is in everyone’s interest. Indeed, it is also in the interest of the West, which is fast becoming a minority on the international stage as it loses its dominance. Of course, the right of the Western minority to its own cultural identity I want to underline that this must be guaranteed and respected, but, above all, on an equal basis with the rights of any other nation. If the Western elites think they can get their people and societies to adopt what I consider weird and trendy ideas like dozens of genders or gay pride parades, so be it. Let them do what they want. But they certainly don’t have the right to tell others to follow in their footsteps. We see the complex demographic, political and social processes taking place in Western countries. That is, of course, your job. Russia does not interfere in these matters and does not intend to do so. Unlike the West, we mind our own business.

But we hope that pragmatism will triumph and that Russia’s dialogue with the genuine and traditional West, as well as with other modern development centers, will become an important contribution to building a multipolar world order. I would add that multipolarity is a real opportunity and, in fact, the only opportunity for Europe to regain its political and economic identity. To tell the truth, and this idea is expressed explicitly in Europe today, Europe’s legal capacity is very limited. I tried to put it mildly so as not to offend anyone. I would add that multipolarity is a real opportunity and, in fact, the only opportunity for Europe to regain its political and economic identity. The world is inherently diverse and the West’s attempts to mold everyone into the same pattern are clearly doomed. Nothing will come of them. The arrogant ambition to achieve global supremacy and, in effect, to dictate or maintain leadership by diktat actually diminishes the international standing of Western world leaders, including the United States, and increases distrust in their negotiating ability in general.

Today they say one thing and tomorrow another. they sign documents and renounce them, they do whatever they want. There is no stability in anything. How the documents are signed, what was discussed, what to expect, all this is not at all clear. Before, only a few countries dared to disagree with the United States, and it was almost impressive, while now it has become routine for all kinds of states to reject Washington’s unfounded demands, despite its constant efforts to put pressure on everyone. This is a wrong policy that leads nowhere. But whether they do is also their choice. I am convinced that the nations of the world will not turn a blind eye to a policy of coercion which has discredited itself. Each time the West will have to pay a higher price for its efforts to maintain its hegemony. If I were a Western elite, I would seriously consider this prospect. As I said, some political scientists and politicians in the United States are already thinking about it. Americanophobia, Anglophobia, Gallophobia and Germanophobia are the same forms of racism as Russophobia or anti-Semitism, and, incidentally, xenophobia in all its forms.

In today’s climate of intense conflict I will be direct about certain things. As an independent and diverse civilization, Russia has never considered itself and does not consider itself an enemy of the West. You just have to clearly understand that as I said before there are two Wests at least two and maybe more but at least two the West of traditional values, mainly Christian, freedom, patriotism, great culture and now also Islamic values ​​an important part of population of many western countries follow Islam. This West is close to us in something. We share common, even ancient, roots with him. But there is also a different West: aggressive, cosmopolitan and neo-colonial. It functions as a tool of the neoliberal elites. Of course, Russia will never settle for the dictates of this West. In 2000, after I was elected president, I will always remember what I faced: I will remember the price we paid for destroying the nest of terrorism in the North Caucasus, which the West almost openly supported at the time. We’re all adults here. most of them in this room understand what I’m talking about. We know that this is exactly what happened in practice: financial, political and informational support. We’ve all experienced it. Moreover, the West not only actively supported terrorists on Russian soil, but in many ways fueled this threat. We know that. However, when the situation stabilized, when the main terrorist gangs were defeated, among other things thanks to the courage of the Chechen people, we decided not to back down, not to act offended, but to move forward, to establish relations even with those who actually acted against us, to create and develop relationships with all who wish, based on mutual benefit and respect for each other. We thought it was in everyone’s best interest. Russia, thank God, had survived all the difficulties of the time, stood firm, became stronger, was able to face internal and external terrorism, its economy was preserved, it began to develop, and its defense capabilities began to improve.

(To be continued)
[email protected]
December 4, 2022
Solana Farm
Corozal Town

Related