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President Vladimir Putin struck an uncompromising stance over the crisis gripping Russia, accusing the U.S. and European Union of trying to undermine his country and blaming external factors for the sharp plunge in the ruble.

“Sometimes I think, maybe they’ll let the bear eat berries and honey in the forest, maybe they will leave it in peace,” said Putin, referring to Russia’s famed symbol. “They will not. Because they will always try to put him on a chain, and as soon as they succeed in doing so they tear out his fangs and his claws.”

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He said by fangs and claws he meant Russia’s nuclear weapons, adding that the West wants to weaken Russia to win control over its rich natural resources.

In a 3 1/2-hour marathon that touched on everything from the ruble’s collapse to the ‘new Cold War’ Putin made more than few witty and bizarre remarks.





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“Once they’ve taken out his claws and his fangs, then the bear is no longer necessary. He’ll become a stuffed animal,” he said. “The issue is not Crimea, the issue is that we are protecting our sovereignty and our right to exist.”