SOCHI. Nov 7 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the world has approached a dangerous line, and calls by Western leaders to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia could result in a global tragedy.
"I have already said that we have approached a dangerous line. Western calls to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, the country that possesses the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, demonstrate the extreme adventurism of Western politicians, in any case, some of them. Such a blind faith in their own impunity and exceptionalism may turn into a global tragedy," Putin said in a speech at a plenary session of the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi on Thursday.
"The former hegemons who used to rule the world are increasingly surprised to realize that they are no longer being obeyed," Putin said.
"Attempts to hold on to their elusive power by force only result in universal volatility and tension, casualties and devastation," Putin said.
Western countries are reluctant to reconcile with the altered international security system and stand ready to do anything to preserve the previous world order, he said.
"The course of history cannot be stopped. Instead of realizing the futility of their aspirations, the objective nature of change, certain Western elites seem ready to do whatever it takes to prevent the emergence of a new international system that meets the interests of the global majority," Putin said.
He said that the United States and its allies were guided in their policy by the principles of "so, no one will get it," and "whoever is not with us is against us." This formula is "very dangerous," "because we and many countries around the world have such a proverb saying what goes around comes around," Putin said. "The chaos and systemic crisis have already been growing in those countries that are trying to pursue this policy," Putin added.