Free Republic

Update(11:40): One thing in particular that Russian President Putin harped on in his speech before the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok was that his country has 'lost nothing' in launching the "special operation" in neighboring Ukraine: "We have not lost anything and will not lose anything," Putin said. "In terms of what we have gained, I can say that the main gain has been the strengthening of our sovereignty."Putin conceded, however, that Moscow's decision to send troops into Ukraine had created a "certain polarization, both in the world and within the country."Below: screenshot of Europe freezing from eerie Gazprom videoHowever,...

ussian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday doubled down on threats to cut off all energy supplies to Western countries if they impose price caps on its oil and gas exports, ratcheting tensions and escalating Europe’s energy crisis as Moscow struggles to supply its military under sweeping sanctions. Speaking at an economic forum in Vladivostok, a port city in Russia’s far east, Putin said Russia would walk away from its supply contracts if price caps are imposed on the country’s energy exports, Reuters reported.