Putin slams Western countries' interference in Russia's internal affairs

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday slammed Western countries' intention to interfere in Russia's internal affairs, stressing that Russia will independently choose its own path of development, reported Xinhua.

Russian people will defend their rights to live in peace and choose the path of national development on their own, he said during the annual address to the Federal Assembly.

On international affairs, Putin noted that Russia was ready for dialogue with all interested countries and associations on creating a new pattern of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia.

"We seek to unify the efforts by the global majority to address global challenges, among them rapid transformation of the world economy, trade, finances and technological markets when many former monopolies and related stereotypes are crumbling," the Russian president said.

But he ruled out the possibility of strategic stability talks with the United States if the latter held a "hypocritical" position in this regard.

For the Ukraine crisis, he warned that any potential intervention of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Ukraine would lead to tragic consequences.

Meanwhile, Russia's strategic nuclear forces were currently "in a state of full readiness for guaranteed use," Putin said, adding that Russia would continue to develop a range of advanced weapon systems.

On domestic issues, Putin said that Russian economy was becoming more diversified, more technological and more sustainable.

Due to the sustained economic development, the number of Russians living below the poverty line decreased to 13.5 million people by the end of 2023, he said, adding that this was a dramatic change in comparison to 42 million people in 2000.

In addition, the Russian president proposed a series of goals for Russia's economic development in the fields of high-tech, food security, etc. in the next six years.