Russian President Vladimir Putin waved a sarcastic farewell on Thursday to foreign businesses which left Moscow over its conflict in Ukraine, affirming that their departure would benefit Russian companies.
Speaking to senior officials at a meeting broadcast on state television, Putin said those companies had suffered major losses as a result of exiting a large and lucrative market.
"Today many of them (Western brands), under pressure from their governments, are leaving our market. All the best to them," Putin said, briefly waving his hand in a farewell gesture.
He added: "Nothing (in Russia) has collapsed and nothing is falling apart. Our companies and entrepreneurs are picking up these enterprises, and even entire sectors, and continue this work very successfully."
In his previous remarks, Putin stated that Moscow is not sending tanks to the borders of Western countries but has more than just armored vehicles to respond to threats.
The Russian leader noted: "Those who are dragging European countries, including Germany, into another war against Russia, making especially irresponsible statements about it being a foregone conclusion, and seeking to defeat Russia on the battlefield, apparently, don’t understand that a modern war against Russia will be completely different for them."
Follow the latest news on Google News
