Vladimir Putin warns of ‘dark anti-Utopia’ world in Davos speech
- Russian president addresses World Economic Forum for first time in 12 years
- Putin warns of global tensions similar to 1930s that sparked World War II
“The pandemic has exacerbated the problems and disbalances that have been accumulating,” the Russian leader said. “International institutions are weakening, regional conflicts are multiplying and the global security is degrading.”
Putin hailed the decision by Russia and the United States to extend their last nuclear arms control pact as a positive move, but he added that spiralling tensions have come to resemble the situation before World War II.
“I strongly hope that such ‘hot’ global conflict is impossible now. It would mean the end of civilisation,” he said. “But the situation may become unpredictable and spin out of control. There is a real danger that we will face a downturn in global development fraught with an all-out fight, attempts to solve contradictions by searching for internal and foreign enemies, and the destruction of basic traditional values.”
