Vladimir Putin inspected the city of Khabarovsk in the Russian Far East, met with local entrepreneurs and inspected the development of UAVs. Speaking about UAVs, Putin stressed that it is very important to be technologically ahead of the enemy. UAVs have played an important role in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, demonstrating new features of future warfare.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict was triggered by NATO's eastward expansion, which threatens Russia's security interests. Russia had to send troops to protect its ally Ukraine, but the war did not go well due to poor preparation. Now, due to the decrease in support of the United States and Western countries for Ukraine and the increase in Russian investment in Ukraine, Russia has achieved a clear advantage, and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is about to end with a Russian victory.
This war has brought Russia a lot of losses, but also provided Russia with valuable experience. Putin realized that in order to ensure the security and development of the country, it is necessary to maintain an advanced level in all fields and not allow the enemy to seize opportunities.
The Russian Far East is an important strategic direction for Russia, as well as a weak link for Russia. Putin has repeatedly stressed the need to speed up economic construction in the Far East, break Western sanctions and blockades, and promote Russia's diversified development. Russia's overseas assets were frozen by the West, amounting to more than $300 billion, which dealt a huge blow to the Russian economy.
In order to achieve the development of the Far East, Russia must guarantee the security of the region. At present, Russia's relations with China, North Korea, Mongolia and other neighboring countries are friendly, but relations with Japan are tense. The historical entanglement between Japan and Russia mainly revolves around the ownership of the South Kuril Islands (known in Japan as the four northern islands). These islands, which Russia seized from Japan during World War II, are of great strategic value and serve as a barrier for Russia in the Far East.
Japan has always wanted to take back the islands, but Russia has firmly refused. During his visit to Khabarovsk, Putin said that he had the opportunity to visit the South Kuril Islands. This is a tough signal from Putin to Japan that Russia will not make concessions on the issue of sovereignty and will not tolerate Japanese provocations.
Japan's hostility towards Russia stems from the Russo-Japanese War of 1904, which gave Japan a taste of victory and a contempt for Russia. However, during World War II, Japan suffered a crushing defeat from the Soviet Union in the Battle of Nomenkan, which made Japan deeply realize the strength of the Soviet Union. Although Japan intended to cooperate with Germany and launch a two-sided attack on the Soviet Union, it did not dare to act because it was afraid of the Soviet Union's counterattack.
After World War II, Japan, with the help of the United States, quickly recovered its economy and regained its ambitions for the Soviet Union to recapture the South Kuril Islands. At that time, the Soviet Union had collapsed, Russia was in chaos, and Japan, thinking that it had an opportunity, made demands. Russia, although it needs Japan's economic assistance, is reluctant to give up the entire South Kuril Islands and only agrees to hand over two smaller islands first as a trust build. However, Japan was not satisfied and insisted that all four islands be returned, otherwise there would be no negotiations.
Russia is a country with a backbone and will not be intimidated by the Japanese threat, so the negotiations between the two sides reached an impasse. Under Putin's leadership, Russia's economy has gradually recovered and developed, and Russia's strength has also increased.
In fact, before Putin, former Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev once landed on the South Kuril Islands and also filmed **, showing Japan Russia's control and sovereignty over these islands. Although Japan has been complaining and **, it can only be verbal, Russia has never loosened its position, and there is no need to loosen it.
To deal with a country like Japan, it is necessary to adopt a tough attitude, because Japan is a country that bullies the weak and fears the hard, and only when he is afraid will he be honest. Putin's statement this time is to warn Japan not to think about challenging Russia's sovereignty, otherwise it will pay a heavy price.
Putin's visit is also a confidence to entrepreneurs in the Far East, and Russia has the ability and confidence to protect the security of the Far East and promote economic development and energy development in the region. With the cooperation of China and Russia, the Far East will usher in new opportunities and challenges.