LIVE: Putin’s Explosive Speech at Eastern Economic Forum

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday delivered a defiant speech at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, declaring that Russia’s future lies in Asia as the country faces mounting Western sanctions over Ukraine. Joined by leaders from Laos, Mongolia, and a senior Chinese delegation, Putin showcased Moscow’s efforts to deepen ties across the Asia-Pacific. The four-day forum, attended by representatives from more than 70 countries, focuses on investment in Russia’s resource-rich Far East, underscoring the Kremlin’s drive to counter isolation by expanding economic partnerships in the region.