President Vladimir Putin said at the Russia Calling! forum that thanks to American sanctions, Russia has strengthened its economic and technological sovereignty. According to Putin, thanks to sanctions, Russia has begun to engage in import substitution in agriculture, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and the military-industrial complex. Overall, Russia has managed to achieve "very serious and positive results," Putin said. He thanked everyone who helped Russia strengthen its economic and technological sovereignty.

Vladimir PutinPresident of Russia

"I can say frankly publicly: after the first steps in this sanctions list were taken, I had a certain anxiety. I want to thank all my colleagues, unknown people, who work each in their own workplace. A very serious, big step has been taken in increasing our economic and technological sovereignty."

The United States and the European Union began imposing sanctions against Russia in 2014, after Russia annexed Crimea and the crash of a Malaysia Airlines Boeing in the Donbass. According to Putin, the American administration has imposed more than a dozen restrictions on Russia, with more than 400 companies and almost 300 individuals under sanctions.

Questions about lifting sanctions should be addressed to the US administration, the president said. According to him, the losses from sanctions amount to billions of dollars not only for Russia, but also for the US. However, cooperation between Russia and the US is possible despite the sanctions, Putin believes: "Under President Obama, our trade turnover decreased to $20 billion. During the two years of [Donald] Trump's presidency, trade turnover increased to $25 billion." The president added that Russian-American relations are affected by the domestic political struggle in the US.

Putin: Russia has strengthened its economic sovereignty thanks to sanctions