US President Joe Biden announced on Saturday the India – Middle East – Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a new rail and shipping route. Some Western observers qualified the corridor as an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative, after it was agreed to by India, Saudi Arabia, the United States, the European Union, among other countries.

What's really behind the plan?

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📹 Russia’s Msta-B 152mm towed howitzer artillery crews continue to destroy Ukrainian manpower and armored vehicles

The artillerymen's main tasks are to prevent the enemy from breaking through, to disrupt the rotation of its units at their positions, and to destroy tanks, armored vehicles and firing points of the Ukrainian fighters.

It is also important for artillery units to conduct counter-battery warfare, including the destruction of Western-made artillery systems.

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❗️ WATCH LIVE: Vladimir Putin addresses the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum

📌 The Eastern Economic Forum is a key international platform for establishing and strengthening ties within the Russian and global investment communities, and for comprehensive expert evaluation of the economic potential of the Russian Far East, the investment opportunities it offers, and business conditions within advanced special economic zones.

Join the live stream here or follow this link to Sputnik’s website

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⚡ Vladimir Putin has begun his address to delegates at the Eastern Economic Forum

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⚡ The Far East for Russia is a strategic priority for the entire 21st century, Vladimir Putin says

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❗️ Russia’s trade turnover with the Asia-Pacific countries grew by 13.7% last year, and in the first half of the year increased by another 18.3%, Putin says

❗️ The percentage of subsoil exploration in the Far East is on average only 35%; there is every opportunity for the extractive industries to vastly grow, Putin says

Putin instructed the government to include the study of subsoil in the Far East and Siberia in the geological exploration program

⚡ Key statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his address to delegates at the Eastern Economic Forum:

▪️ The global economy continues to change, primarily because the West is tearing down the system of financial relations;

▪️ Amid the destruction of the financial system by the West, the list of countries that are ready to cooperate not based on Western conventions, but for all humanity, is expanding;

▪️ The dynamics of investment in the Far East is three times faster than for all of Russia in its entirety;

▪️ Most regions in the Far Eastern Federal District still face energy shortages, and this is a problem; a large-scale update of this industry is needed;

▪️ It is necessary to expand logistics routes in the Far East, including the Northern Sea Route;

▪️ High-speed highways will pass through Siberia, the Far East to the Pacific Ocean;

▪️ Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a comprehensive action plan to be prepared by 1 March for the development of the air complex of the Far Eastern Federal District;

▪️ Constantly enhancing the conditions for doing business in the Far East is a must;

▪️ The global economic situation has invigorated our work in the Far East;

▪️ The restriction of payments in dollars has driven all countries to set their sights on payments in national currencies, while trust in the West is being eroded;

▪️ Today, logistics chains for the supply of goods have almost recovered, and by the same token, this is due to the exchange rate;

▪️ We must come to an agreement with the business community, so that they understand that it is safer to work in Russia.

⚡ Production of LNG (liquefied natural gas) in the Arctic zone is expected to triple by 2030, thanks to the decision to create new lines and strengthen technological sovereignty, Putin says

⚡ The Far East for Russia is a strategic priority for the entire 21st century

Russian President Vladimir Putin has finished his address, closing with the phrase with which he started his speech

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💸 Putin on the freezing of $300 billion in gold reserves because of sanctions: Yes, we earned twice as much!

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Emergency plane landing in field near Novosibirsk due to hydraulic system failure - Ural Airlines CEO

❗️ US jumped into last car when agreed on economic corridor from India, but project itself is beneficial to Russia - Vladimir Putin

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🗣 Putin on Elon Musk: He is an outstanding person, an active and talented businessman

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🗣 For everyone who believes in the Far East’s future, I would like to say a special word of thanks

Vladimir Putin thanked all those who have contributed to the development of the Far East, emphasizing that this region will be a priority for Russia this century.

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🗣 "When the date is announced, then we'll talk"

This is what Russian President Vladimir Putin replied when asked about his possible nomination for another presidential term.

🤔 Commenting on the looming US elections, Putin asked: "Why should we think about this?" adding that there will be no fundamental changes in Russia's approach to the US foreign policy.

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