Arya News - European leaders have only themselves to blame for growing unrest and economic problems across the continent, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
He pointed to mounting public debt, large budget deficits, and declining industrial production, calling the situation dramatic for many European economies. By comparison, he said, Russia"s external debt stands at just 2.6% of GDP, with total government debt at 17.5%, while Russian industrial output has grown since 2021.He also criticized Europe"s green energy policies and described its decision to ban everything Russian as "stupidity." Putin noted that Europe cut itself off from Russian markets and energy supplies, although it continues to import substantial amounts of Russian energy.Putin added that some Western companies "almost cried" when they were forced to abandon the Russian market under pressure from their own governments.Turning to migration, Putin argued that European countries lack the financial resources to integrate and assimilate migrants, contributing to growing social tensions.He also accused Europeans of dismantling their own traditional and historical values, arguing that societies abandoning their own traditions have little left to pass on to newcomers.