Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday slammed Western countries' intention to interfere in Russia's internal affairs during his annual state-of-the-nation address to the Federal Assembly, stressing that Russia will independently choose its own path of development, Reuters reports.
Russian people will defend their rights to live in peace and choose the path of national development on their own, he said during the annual address to the Federal Assembly.
On international affairs, Putin noted that Russia was ready for dialogue with all interested countries and associations on creating a new pattern of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia.
"Clearly, a new equal and indivisible security framework must be created in Eurasia in the foreseeable future. We are ready for a substantive discussion on this subject with all countries and associations that may be interested in it," said the Russian president.
Putin said Russia is ready for dialogue with the United States but ruled out the possibility of holding strategic stability talks with the United States if the latter held a "hypocritical" position in this regard.
On the Ukraine crisis, he warned that any potential intervention of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Ukraine would lead to tragic consequences.
Meanwhile, Russia's strategic nuclear forces were currently "in a state of full readiness for guaranteed use," Putin said, adding that Russia will continue to develop a range of advanced weapon systems.
On domestic issues, Putin said that the Russian economy is becoming more diversified, more technological and more sustainable.
Putin said Russia will reduce the share of imports to 17 percent of GDP, build at least 40 new university campuses and set up at least 100 industrial parks by 2030.
He also proposed a series of goals for Russia's economic development in such fields as high-tech and food security in the next six years.
