Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia will react appropriately to outside attempts to weaken its positions on the international scene, which he said are being made using special services, "puppet NGOs," and other methods.
“We should react appropriately to these challenges and, most importantly, work in a comprehensive way and resolve problems that pose potential risks to the unity of our country and society,” Putin said at a meeting of the Russian Security Council.
“The attempts to destabilize the socio-political situation, weaken Russia in some way, and hurt our vulnerable points are no doubt being made and will be made,” Putin said.
He believes this is being done “to make us compliant in the solution of specific issues in the interests of other states on the international scene.”
“Mechanisms will be used in the so-called struggle on the international scene. This applies to economics and politics. The resources of the special services, modern information and communication technologies, the channels of dependent, ‘puppet’ NGOs – so-called soft force mechanisms – are being used for that purpose,” Putin said.
“All these things are apparently seen as democracy in some countries,” Putin said.
