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Putin Indicates He’ll Respect Result of Ukrainian Election Putin Indicates He’ll Respect Result of Ukrainian Election
(35 minutes later)
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Addressing an economic forum haunted by the prospect of more sanctions against Russia, President Vladimir V. Putin on Friday gave his clearest indication yet that he would work with the winner of this weekend’s presidential election in Ukraine.ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Addressing an economic forum haunted by the prospect of more sanctions against Russia, President Vladimir V. Putin on Friday gave his clearest indication yet that he would work with the winner of this weekend’s presidential election in Ukraine.
Mr. Putin repeatedly said he hoped that the conflict in Ukraine would calm, that Russia would continue to play a significant part in the affairs of its “sister nation,” and that it would support a negotiated settlement. Mr. Putin repeatedly said he hoped the conflict in Ukraine would calm, that Russia would continue to play a significant part in the affairs of its “sister nation,” and that it would support a negotiated settlement.
“We want peace and calm in Ukraine,” Mr. Putin told the gathering of business executives at the Global C.E.O. Summit, which is part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. “We are interested that on our western borders we have peace and calm in Ukraine. We are today working with the people in power, and after the election we will work with the newly elected structure.”“We want peace and calm in Ukraine,” Mr. Putin told the gathering of business executives at the Global C.E.O. Summit, which is part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. “We are interested that on our western borders we have peace and calm in Ukraine. We are today working with the people in power, and after the election we will work with the newly elected structure.”
Mr. Putin stopped short of saying he would recognize the vote as legitimate, and reiterated his assertion that the government in Kiev, which is organizing the vote, had usurped the power of President Victor F. Yanukovych in a coup. The election would not represent a “general national mandate,” he said. Mr. Putin stopped short of saying he would recognize the vote as legitimate, and reiterated his assertion that the government in Kiev, which is organizing the vote, had usurped the power of President Victor F. Yanukovych in a coup. The election would not represent a “general national mandate” he said.
But Russia would “respect the choice of the Ukrainian people,” Mr. Putin said. “We understand and see that people in Ukraine want to get out of this situation.” On the direct question of whether Russia would accept the outcome, Mr. Putin said, “We will watch what will happen.”But Russia would “respect the choice of the Ukrainian people,” Mr. Putin said. “We understand and see that people in Ukraine want to get out of this situation.” On the direct question of whether Russia would accept the outcome, Mr. Putin said, “We will watch what will happen.”
Mr. Putin spoke at the business forum where Russian officials traditionally woo foreign investment, and where corporate and finance officials conceded that the Russian economy was suffering from the uncertainty created by American and European Union sanctions.Mr. Putin spoke at the business forum where Russian officials traditionally woo foreign investment, and where corporate and finance officials conceded that the Russian economy was suffering from the uncertainty created by American and European Union sanctions.
Mr. Putin used the platform to highlight the Russian view of the unfolding crisis. When the European Union proposed an association agreement with Ukraine that was to be signed last November, Mr. Putin said the Russians were told “that it was none of our business.”Mr. Putin used the platform to highlight the Russian view of the unfolding crisis. When the European Union proposed an association agreement with Ukraine that was to be signed last November, Mr. Putin said the Russians were told “that it was none of our business.”
“I’m not trying to offend anyone, but I haven’t seen such a snobbish attitude in years,” he said, reaping laughter and applause from his audience each time he mocked the United States or demanded that Ukraine pay Russia the roughly $3.5 billion he said the country owes Russia for natural gas. “Where’s our money?” he asked, at one point.“I’m not trying to offend anyone, but I haven’t seen such a snobbish attitude in years,” he said, reaping laughter and applause from his audience each time he mocked the United States or demanded that Ukraine pay Russia the roughly $3.5 billion he said the country owes Russia for natural gas. “Where’s our money?” he asked, at one point.
During the speech and subsequent questions, lasting about an hour and a half, Mr. Putin veered between conciliatory remarks and repetition of the more virulent charges against Ukraine, the United States and the European Union that are common in the Russian news media.During the speech and subsequent questions, lasting about an hour and a half, Mr. Putin veered between conciliatory remarks and repetition of the more virulent charges against Ukraine, the United States and the European Union that are common in the Russian news media.
“A civil war has started in Ukraine,” Mr. Putin said. The sanctions directed against Russia, which he called “unfair and illegal,” would not end it, he said. “What does this have to do with us?”“A civil war has started in Ukraine,” Mr. Putin said. The sanctions directed against Russia, which he called “unfair and illegal,” would not end it, he said. “What does this have to do with us?”
In the speech, his main economic policy address of the year, Mr. Putin formulated a strategy to pull the country out of near recession by prioritizing trade with China and encouraging Russian companies to produce substitutes for imported goods, a well-worn idea in Russian policy. Cities and regions would be encouraged to buy domestically made goods, he said.In the speech, his main economic policy address of the year, Mr. Putin formulated a strategy to pull the country out of near recession by prioritizing trade with China and encouraging Russian companies to produce substitutes for imported goods, a well-worn idea in Russian policy. Cities and regions would be encouraged to buy domestically made goods, he said.
On the stage with Mr. Putin while he delivered his speech were representatives of emerging markets: a Chinese deputy prime minister and an Arab and an Indian investor. Mr. Putin highlighted the business success of his trip to China earlier this week, but struck a gracious tone in saying Russia would remain open for European business.On the stage with Mr. Putin while he delivered his speech were representatives of emerging markets: a Chinese deputy prime minister and an Arab and an Indian investor. Mr. Putin highlighted the business success of his trip to China earlier this week, but struck a gracious tone in saying Russia would remain open for European business.