President Putin criticized Western countries and ensures that Russia will emerge from the crisis

GTRES

Russian President Vladimir Putin promised this Thursday that his country will emerge in two years from the strong economic crisis it experiences and accused Western countries of behaving like an “empire” that treats other nations as “vassals.”

During a press conference, Putin spoke about the precipitous decline of the ruble on Monday and Tuesday, noting that “in the worst case for the international conjuncture, the situation may last two years but may improve before.”

He added that anyway it will be solved in an “inevitable” way, as the world economy continues growing. “We will use the measures employed successfully in 2008,” said Putin.

The Russian president also criticized Western countries stating that they “are now an empire and the rest are vassals and we should be cornered,” hinting at sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.

Putin also accused the Ukrainian government (supported by the European Union and the United States) to carry out a “punitive operation” against the pro-Russian rebels in the east.