Thread by @anders_aslund

Putin talking to FSB (the murder agency):
"I would like to thank all of you for doing your jobs professionally and precisely, and for your readiness to achieve all your goals in non-standard conditions without reference to current circumstances." Really?
en.kremlin.ru/events/preside…

Putin gives air to his paranoia:
"we also have to deal with the so-called containment policy towards Russia. Actually, this is something we have been well aware of for a long time."

"This is not competition as a natural part of international relations, but a consistent and highly aggressive policy aimed at disrupting our development, at slowing it down and creating problems along our external perimeter and contour, provoking internal instability..."

"...undermining the values that unite Russian society, and ultimately, at weakening Russia and forcing it to accept external management, just as this is happening in some post-Soviet states, as we can see."
Putin seems to feel under attack.

"A targeted information campaign is being waged against Russia with various peremptory and unsubstantiated accusations. Even absurd and anecdotal conspiracy theories are being used."
Well, lies & murders have consequences.
You had better realize that.

Somehow, Putin failed to mention the many FSB murders & poisonings, the regime's kleptocracy, corruption, his palace, Navalny, political repression, etc.
Why should we listen to him when he doesn't discuss reality? (I listen because of profession.)