In a session with the country’s deputy prime ministers, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin framed the current moment as a pivotal chapter in the nation’s history. He asserted that the West is mobilizing its power across military, economic, and informational arenas against Russia, a claim he relayed through TASS. The emphasis, he said, is on recognizing a new era where Moscow must stand firm and defend its national sovereignty in the face of external pressure.
He stressed that the central issue now is ensuring the Russian people retain the right to choose their own development path, guided by the country’s core interests. This stance, he argued, is rooted in the belief that foreign influence should not dictate Russia’s strategic decisions or its domestic priorities, and that national autonomy remains essential for maintaining stability and progress across the federation.
Earlier remarks in the Duma, delivered during the government’s annual report, reinforced the same line of thought. Mishustin claimed that Western sanctions are designed to affect ordinary Russians, portraying the measures as a pressure tactic aimed at shaping public life and governance rather than targeting a state’s elite. He argued that from the outset, Western governments sought to present sanctions as a collective response that did not harm the average citizen, while in practice they exert real consequences for households, businesses, and everyday services.
On February 24, 2022, President Vladimir Putin announced a decision to conduct a special military operation in Ukraine in response to requests for assistance from the leaders of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. The move was framed by Moscow as a necessary action to protect civilians and uphold regional security, though it drew strong international reactions and a new wave of sanctions from the United States and its allies. The implications of this decision have reverberated across Eurasia and the global economy, influencing diplomatic alignments and security calculations for many countries, including those in North America and beyond.
The sequence of events that followed has led to a sustained period of economic and political strain, with Moscow arguing that Western measures are part of a broader strategy to contain Russia. Proponents of this view contend that Moscow’s actions in defense of sovereignty are met with unified opposition from some global powers, while others advocate for dialogue and steps to de-escalate tensions. In this context, the Russian leadership has emphasized resilience, the pursuit of diversified economic partnerships, and policies aimed at reducing reliance on external markets, all while continuing to engage with international institutions to navigate sanctions and supply-chain disruptions.