Putin: "Sanctions Causing Difficulties But Not On The Scale Intended"

Wires have carried comments from Russia President Vladimir Putin suggesting that the Russian president has entered a more assertive phase in dealing with the Western alliance.

• According to Reuters, Putin claims that "sanctions are causing Russia difficulties but not on the scale intended."
• Putin: "The collective West has been extremely aggressive towards Russia for decades."
• Putin: "The West has failed in a new attempt to contain Russia."
• Putin: "This is the start of a transition to a multipolar world."
• Putin: "We don't reject peace talks but the further it foes the harder it will be to reach an agreement with us."
• Putin's comments are the most assertive from the Russian President in a number of weeks. Putin's comments come as the Kremlin may view the resignation of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, amongst the most hawkish on Russia, as an opportunity to foster disunity in the western alliance.