MICHAEL WALSH AMERICAN FREE PRESS: One can well imagine the sour expressions on the faces of Western heads of state had they gathered to watch what might be described as the most humiliating public spanking in a century or more.

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During President Vladimir Putin’s 4-hour Q&A session on December 14 in which he candidly addressed questions posed by the public and journalists, the Russian leader appeared calm, self-assured and in control.

“Those who thought that everything would collapse with us are very disappointed,” he supposed as he went on to clarify the reality of the emerging Russian economy and much else.

The resources-rich Russian economy has fully recovered from the effects of Western sanctions. By the end of 2023, the country’s GDP will grow by 3.5%, the manufacturing industry by 7.5%, investment in fixed assets will increase by 10%, and real salaries of citizens by 8%, the head of state noted.

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Under the malignant influence of the U.S. Democratic Party, the Western Alliance in February 2022 began to increase anti-Russian economic sanctions that were unprecedented in scale.

Almost 18 thousand different restrictions are now in force. This is more than against heavily sanctioned Iran, Syria, North Korea, Belarus, Venezuela, Myanmar and Cuba combined.

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At the outset of the economic war on Russia, the Western powers seized almost half of Russia’s gold and foreign exchange reserves worth $300 billion. Eventually, this will have to be sheepishly returned. 

In the meantime, surrendering to political coercion many international corporations announced their abandonment of trade obligations to the Russian Federation. Many companies paid only lip service to the pressure and either remained or returned.

The West’s intention to ‘punish Putin’ for his decision to defend Ukrainians in Kyiv-controlled Donbas and Lugansk was draconian in scale.

Sanctions were intended to cripple Russia. This would trigger a replay of the collapse of the Soviet Union which occurred on December 26, 1991. This dreadful period heralded a period of social unrest, corporate plunder lust, violence, division, economic stagnation and loss of influence on the world stage. For 32 years this humiliation has scarred the Russian soul.

Vladimir Putin’s political career began in 1991 with his resignation as a KGB intelligence officer. In 1999 he was appointed acting president by retiring President Boris Yeltsin. Was this Yeltsin’s riposte to his being mocked as a buffoon by triumphant Western governments and their Press?

Realistically, were Western sanctions likely to challenge a head of state who during his 23-year tenure had weathered and overcome far greater challenges?

President Vladimir Putin’s achievements in uniting Russia whilst restoring its lost fortunes and prestige could only be compared to the similar feats of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) and Adolf Hitler (1889-1945).

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Historians will no doubt remark on the hubris of Western Alliance leaders who were faced down by a Russian adversary who unlike his vanquished predecessors had the resources to fend off economic aggression.

According to Putin, Russia has significantly reduced the share of payments in dollars and euros in foreign trade and now uses rubles and yuan much more often. Today, the Russian economy has a sufficient margin of safety to not only feel confident but also move forward.

“The real decline was only 2.1%. It turned out to be even less profound than in the pandemic year 2020 (2.7%) and by December 2023 the country completely recaptured last year’s losses,” said Vladimir Putin.

As the head of state noted, the profits of Russian companies this year will increase by almost a quarter. At the same time, banks should earn over 3 trillion rubles. This will be good news for depositors since this indicates the stability of the country’s financial system.

Admittedly, inflation at an unflattering 7.5% remains one of the few remaining economic challenges. However, the actions of the government and the Central Bank presume a slowdown to 4%. Russia’s unemployment rate dropped to a record 2.9% (U.S. 3.9% and EU 6.5%),

According to the Russian head of state, the Western countries have “shot themselves in the foot” since payments in dollars and euros have now become riskier. In 2021 Russia served approximately 87% of its exports in American and European currencies and today this figure is only 24%.

More and more countries are abandoning transactions in dollars and euros. Like once bitten Russia they want to minimize the risks of possible blocking of their money.

During the Q&A session, the Ukraine conflict was uppermost on most minds. Sadly, for the hapless NATO Alliance, the news from the Eastern Front is as discouraging today as it was for Hitler’s Germany in the winter of 1942-1943.

“Peace,” Putin says “will be when we achieve our goals: denazification, demilitarization, and assured neutral status of Ukraine. If they don’t want to agree, we are forced to use other, military measures.”

A Russian victory is assured – no sane person questions such an outcome. The last remaining question is on what terms will the humiliation and the bloodshed end? It is an impasse giving a little breathing space to ill-fated Western Alliance leaders to decide how to cover their soon-to-be flayed backs.

To summarize, Putin’s lengthy Q&A on the Russian economy and its military achievements was deservedly upbeat. To his credit, there was no triumphalism. Putin’s final message to the Western Alliance: “Heads I win tails you lose.” BEAT WESTERN PRESS CENSORSHIP BY POSTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA