Russia is not going to cut itself off from the global economic arena despite the attempts of forces trying to force it out, President Vladimir Putin said during his address at the Eurasian Economic Forum in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday.
"They want to squeeze us out, but in the modern world, this is simply unrealistic, impossible," he said. "If we do not separate ourselves with some kind of wall, then no one will be able to separate such a country as Russia."
"The West believes that anyone objectionable can be removed from world politics, the economy, sports, but this is not so," he said.
Joining the event virtually, Putin said the exit of some foreign companies from the Russian market over Russia's special military operation in Ukraine might be for the best.
"Sanctions lead to a number of difficulties for Russia, but at the same time make it stronger in some ways," he said.