Putin Calls Sanctions Imposers 'Idiots', Predicts Global Recession

Putin's Outburst: Strong Words on Sanctions During 'Delovaya Rossiya' Meeting MOSCOW, May 13, 2025 — Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a scathing rebuke of countries imposing sanctions against Russia during a meeting with representatives of the 'Delovaya Rossiya' organization. The video, circulating widely online, shows Putin using harsh language, referring to those imposing sanctions as "idiots." He argued that the sanctions will ultimately backfire, leading to a global recession that will disproportionately harm the sanctioning nations. "It seems that they won't do this or that because it will harm them," Putin stated, according to the video. "But they are doing it anyway, you know, these idiots. They are driving the world's leading economies into recession, just to harm us." The statement reflects a hardening of Putin's stance on the ongoing sanctions and the economic fallout from the conflict. Analysts are divided on the impact of the sanctions and Putin's assessment of the situation. The Kremlin has yet to officially comment on the video or the remarks. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions and the increasingly sharp rhetoric surrounding the conflict.