Putin: Russia doesn't want return to Cold War

[inanna]

Source: Associated Press

June 17, 2016

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — The Latest from the Russian Economic Forum in St. Petersburg (all times local):

3:50 p.m.

President Vladimir Putin says Russia doesn't need a new Cold War and that the country's policy is "aimed at cooperation and search for compromise."

Speaking at Russia's major economic forum Friday, he criticized the West for ignoring Russia's legitimate interests. He said there is no reason for NATO's continued expansion, and noted that the U.S.-led NATO missile defense plans pose a threat to Russia.

He said the missile defense program is continuing despite the disappearance of the Iranian nuclear threat, which had been named as the main reason for that.

Putin added that the Western policy of unilateral actions will undermine global stability. He called for searching for a balance of interests to strengthen international security.

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/latest-putin-russia-doesnt-want-return-cold-war-125131631--finance.html

[-none]

1. But some of our leaders do want a return to the cold war.

War is so profitable.

[left-of-center2012]

2. We should believe Putin ...

... 'cause Trump says he's a nice guy.

[hack89]

3. He can't afford it. Nt

[Bernardo de La Paz]

15. Too many politicians turn to war to distract from internal problems they can't afford to fix. nt

[Wilms]

4. Tough luck. The Empire is in charge. n/t

[Itchinjim]

5. Then quit being a dick Vlad.

[geek tragedy]

6. Cool story, comrade nt

[Oneironaut]

7. Putin can't be trusted.

He doesn't want war, but he also wants to cause trouble in neighboring countries. The U.S. is probably doing the same thing too.

Both countries have the problem where they can't leave each other alone. This is from both not trusting each other.

[jamzrockz]

19. So true

Unlike some other country that would get a lesser country to dispose of their WMD only to just strike and take their oil once they are weak and vulnerable. If I was a country with resources not controlled by US corporations, I would be running to Russia and Putin for safety.

Just saying.

[FLPanhandle]

8. Putin doesn't want a Cold War but he wants the Soviet empire back

If I was living in a former Soviet block country, then I'd be signing up for NATO pretty damn quick. No wonder Putin doesn't like NATO expansion.

[newthinking]

17. That claim is bunk. Try to provide a link. He has never said that.

There is a war narrative on and the primary thing we don't like about Russia is that the current President does not allow corporate interests to consume their country and we can't continue to print trillions of dollars out of thin air if their is real global economic competition.

The dollar is threatened because we have trashed it's basis with debt and the rich are scared witless about a rising China and Russia.

[Adrahil]

20. LOL... "rising Russia"

Russia is not a threat economically. South Korea has a bigger economy. ITALY has a bigger economy. The American economy is 13 times bigger. Russia is only a factor because they have a relatively big military force (compared to GDP) and lots and lots of nukes.

But I know you're a big Russia apologist, so by all means, carry on.

[PufPuf23]

24. Russia is rich in natural resources.

Russian oil and natural gas are very important to the EU.

[davidthegnome]

9. There's got to be some way...

That we could put him and Trump in control of their own Country. Like... I don't know, a little island. We could put them and conservatives from both our Nations on a little island somewhere, build a wall (with an electric fence, surrounded by signs that say "don't pee on the fence&quot around it and call it DumpTrumpPutopia.

We would forget of unfortunately, that that island was full of cannibals, lions and hyenas. We would sadly neglect to recall that the waters surrounding it were infested by sharks. Then, by accident, of course, we would fly planes over that island that could regularly dump manure for the purposes of fertilization.

Obviously these are two brilliant, sound political minds. We really ought to get them together with other like minded individuals, who knows what they might accomplish together, without all of us backward thinking people to screw up their perfect world.

[kentauros]

18. No need for fences or aggressive wildlife.

Just drop them off on Bikini Atoll.

[LiberalEsto]

10. lol

Putin speaketh with forked tongue

[zonkers]

11. They need at least six months to sell their U.S real estate.

[Blue_Tires]

12. LOL WHUT

[JNelson6563]

13. Well not now that he is running out of money.

Asshole.

[jzodda]

14. Ok Putin

Actions speak louder than words.

First off stop scaring the baltic republics half to death. Stop your military maneuvers on the border.

Stop backing rebels in Eastern Ukraine.

Stop backing the gov in Syria.

If you Russia can't understand why eastern europe is terrified of you better re-read your history again.

[onehandle]

16. Too late. nt

[cstanleytech]

21. If Putin isnt lying then he can prove it easily enough by doing some simple

like withdrawing all Russian troops in the Ukraine back to the bases that they agreed to lease on the Crimean Peninsula and cutting off any aid to the supposed rebels there and asking the UN to send inspectors to verify that they have done so.
After that he should look to getting the US to agree supply Russia with some of the missile defense tech its deploying for the NATO countries because Russia is under just as much risk as the rest of us are if some rogue nation gets nukes.

[Night Watchman]

22. Now THAT'S Funny!

We've been in Cold War II for more than a decade, thanks to ol' Vlad.

[tavernier]

23. Then stay the fuck away from the Baltics.

(As if anyone believes you)

[Odin2005]

25. Yeah, sure, OK.

[Tarheel_Dem]

26. Thanks Vlad. We appreciate it. What a gigantic asshole.

[Xolodno]

27. Of course he doesn't.

The Cold War crippled them. Propping up other nations and massive military spending is expensive.

NATO and the US will not recognize the Crimea annexation (or the eventual South Ossetia & Abkhazia) for as least as long as the Cuba embargo.

But European nations will one by one start ignore the sanctions, turning a blind eye, until the point it just become ridiculous, and they are quietly dropped. Of course, by then Putin will be out of office and in the pasture.

[olddad56]

28. That can only mean that Putin would like to return to the cold war.