Attempts to deter Russia intensify as it grows stronger — Putin

The policy of deterring Russia is intensifying as the country grows stronger, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday during a meeting with editors-in-chief of Russian media outlets.
"As soon as we began to stabilize, to get back to our feet - the policy of deterrence followed immediately," he said in a fragment of the meeting, aired by the Rossiya-24 TV channel, TASS reports.
"And as we grew stronger, this policy of deterrence was being conducted more and more intensely," Putin added.
Putin is convinced that Russia’s potential adversaries are becoming more and more irked by its successes.
"We have lots of achievements. And this is starting to annoy them," the Russian leader said, speaking about Russia’s opponents and potential adversaries. In his words, Russia’s influence in the post-Soviet space is growing, and the West will use ambitious and power-hungry people to counter it.
"Our influence in the post-Soviet space has been growing no matter what, despite all difficulties," Putin said. "This causes concern [among Western powers]. And this is where they will try to pull us back."
Russia’s adversaries use ambitious, power-hungry people to achieve their goals, the Russian leader continued.
"From the dawn of time, our opponents or potential adversaries <…> always relied on very ambitious and power-hungry people, always used them," Putin said. "There is nothing new about it. I see nothing new. Too many ambitions, too much energy, they are too eager to earn loads of money, to sweep into power. And all of this is simply being exploited most actively."
Latest newsForeign Interests and Native Fatigue: Iran on the Brink
11.Jan.2026
“Muslim NATO”: Turkey’s New Strategic Vector
10.Jan.2026
The Use of the “Oreshnik” Missile and a New Phase of Escalation Around Ukraine
09.Jan.2026
Solidarity Deferred: Croatia and Romania’s Dangerous Retreat
08.Jan.2026
Azerbaijan’s Eurasian Initiative: Ambitions, Challenges, and Doubts
07.Jan.2026
The Great Rotation: Personnel Reshuffles in Ukraine’s Leadership
06.Jan.2026
The United States Did Not Confirm an Alleged Ukrainian Attack on Putin’s Residence
05.Jan.2026
The Trans-Caspian Fiber Optic Cable: A Digital Milestone Connecting Europe and Asia
04.Jan.2026
Georgia Hopes for a Review of Venezuela’s Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Amid Ongoing Crisis
04.Jan.2026
Ukraine’s Allies Discuss Security and the Future of a Peace Settlement
03.Jan.2026

15 Jan 2026


