MOSCOW, January 15 (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir said on Thursday that the international situation had deteriorated and the world had become more dangerous, but he remained silent on the situations in Venezuela and Iran.
Putin has yet to comment on the U.S. overthrow of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the protests in Iran or U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to Greenland.
“The situation on the international scene is getting worse day by day – I think no one would disagree with this – long-standing conflicts are intensifying and new serious flashpoints are emerging,” Putin said with a smile.
In his speech to the new ambassador, who handed over his credentials at the Kremlin, Putin did not explicitly mention the United States or Trump, his first public address on a foreign policy issue this year.
“We heard the monologue of those who believe that through force they can determine their will, teach others and issue orders,” Putin said. “Russia is sincerely committed to the ideal of a multipolar world.”
Putin urges discussion of Russian proposals for a new security architecture in Europe.
“We hope that sooner or later this need will be recognized. Until then, Russia will continue to pursue its goals relentlessly.”
The war in Ukraine is the most serious war in Europe since World War II, triggering the largest confrontation between Russia and Western countries since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
(Reporting by Vladimir ‌Soldatkin; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
