Interfax: Russia not seeking self-isolation, not looking for enemies – Putin

MOSCOW. Dec 4 (Interfax) – Russia is not going to follow the way of isolationism, xenophobia, and a search for enemies, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

“We ourselves will never follow the way of self-isolation, xenophobia, suspiciousness, and the search for enemies. These all are manifestations of weakness, but we are strong and confident. Our goal is to gain as many equal partners as possible both in the West and in the East,” Putin said in an address to the Federal Assembly on Thursday.

Russia will promote the world’s diversity and tell people living abroad the truth about Russia, “so that everyone sees the real and true image of Russia, not a distorted and fake one,” Putin said.

Russia will actively promote its business and humanitarian contacts and its scientific and educational links, Putin said. “And we will be doing this even in conditions when the governments of some countries are trying to build all but a new iron curtain around Russia,” he said.