At the Valdai Club 2025 plenary session, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a sweeping speech on Ukraine, NATO, Western policies, and the future of a multipolar world, calling the Ukrainian conflict a shared tragedy for both nations.
On Global Change
“We live in a time when everything is changing very quickly, I would say, radically. We must be ready for anything.”
On Rules Made Abroad
Putin dismissed the idea of following rules dictated from afar: “No one is ready to play by rules set by someone far away, ‘there beyond the ocean.’”
On Multipolarity
He argued that multipolarity became a direct consequence of attempts to impose global hegemony
, calling it the natural response of the international system to Western dominance.
On Russia and NATO
Putin reminded that Russia had twice raised the idea of joining NATO — first in 1954 during the USSR era, and later during Bill Clinton’s presidency — but was rejected.
On Western Power
“The power of the US and its allies peaked at the end of the 20th century. But no force can control the world forever. Attempts were made, but all failed.”
On Ukraine
“Ukraine is just a card in a much larger geopolitical game of the West. It is only a pretext to expand control and profit from war.”
He described the conflict as a tragedy for both Ukrainians and Russians
and criticized NATO’s military infrastructure near Russia’s borders.
On Alaska Summit with Trump
"In Alaska, we discussed exclusively the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis. Trump is a comfortable interlocutor. Our conversation lasted about an hour and a half, during which we also discussed specific details."
On Sanctions
Putin declared Russia the absolute record holder in world history
in terms of sanctions imposed, yet expressed “legitimate pride” in the resilience of the Russian people and military.
On Europe’s Militarization
He warned that Europe’s self-inflicted fears about “Russian aggression” were exaggerated but dangerous: “We cannot ignore the growing militarization of Europe — it is a matter of our own defense and security.”
On Trump’s 'Paper Tiger' Remark
Responding to US President Donald Trump’s comparison of Russia to a “paper tiger,” Putin asked: “If Russia, fighting the entire NATO bloc, is a paper tiger, then what does that make NATO itself?”
On Losses in Ukraine
He claimed Ukrainian armed forces lost around 44,700 men in September 2025 alone, nearly half of them irrecoverable.
On the Future of Diplomacy
Despite the confrontation, Putin predicted a revival of diplomacy: “We will witness a renaissance of the art of diplomacy — the ability to talk and agree not only with allies, but with opponents as well.”
On Domestic Politics Abroad
He criticized Western bans on political opponents, comparing them to Soviet practices and quoting the late singer Vladimir Vysotsky: “Soon they will ban everything.”
On Selling Russian Uranium to USA
“Last year, Russia earned about $800 million from uranium sales to the United States, and this year it will earn around $1.2 billion. Russia is the second-largest supplier of uranium to the U.S., and Washington continues its purchases despite attempts to prevent other countries from accessing Russian energy resources,” Putin stated.
At the end of September, Trump described as ‘shameful’ and ‘unforgivable’ the actions of NATO countries that purchase oil and gas from Russia. At the time, Trump said he had only learned of such purchases two weeks earlier.
On Gaza
Putin called the events in Gaza “a terrible tragedy in modern human history.”
On Weakness and Resolve
“Russia will never show weakness or indecision,” he affirmed, warning that any attempt to test Russia militarily would be futile.
Closing his speech, Putin half-joked with the audience: “I may have tired you — I'm sorry.”
