Putin has been waffling on at his annual address

  • US, EU support for Ukraine coup was cynical, doesn’t plan to cut of relations, won’t be pulled into arms race
  • Sanctions are stimulus for Russia to reach goals faster
  • EU sanctions aimed at curtailing Russia, would have sanctioned Russia without Ukraine situation
  • Remains open to international investors
  • Crimea is Russia’s “Temple mount”
  • Calls for a full amnesty for capital repatriation to Russia (getting a bit short as we Vlad?)

He’s also called for some business reforms