Russia Changing From 'Gas Station' Into Self-Sufficient Country - Putin

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia is changing from a "gas station" into a self-sufficient country with a processing production, which makes up 43% in the economy's, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"When we are now turning into a country where 43% of our economic growth structure is already processing industries, when we stop, as we were once told... that we are a 'gas station' and not an economy, when all this is changing, when we are becoming self-sufficient, then there will be fewer people who want to exclude us from some organizations, and there will be more and more people who want to apologize and invite us to work together in a variety of areas of activity," Putin said at a meeting with the Civic Chamber of Russia.

The stronger Russia is in military-technical terms and in other areas, the less desire there will be to exclude the country from any international unions, the president added.

Commenting on the economic situation in the country, Putin said that the economy is functioning as planned and the authorities are not abandoning any plans, including in the social sphere.

Western Sanctions Against Civic Chamber Members

The enemy sees what the members of the Russian Civic Chamber are doing for the country, since they are being put on the sanctions lists, the president stressed.

"I am very grateful to the members of the Civic Chamber for the fact that you take such a civil stance, with understanding of what is happening. I know that many members of the Public Chamber are under sanctions — this is a sign that the enemy really appreciates what you are doing for Russia. I want to thank you for this," Putin said during a meeting with the new composition of the Russian Civic Chamber.

Putin congratulated all Russians on the upcoming National Unity Day holiday, adding that the unity of the nation has been a defining trait of the country.

"At all critical stages [of Russian history], the unity of the people has always been a key component of Russia breaking new ground. It has always been like this," Putin said.

Staging Events in Dagestan Aimed to Destabilize Russia From Inside

The events that took place in Russia's Dagestan were aimed at destabilizing the country from the inside, the president stressed.

On Sunday, an angry mob stormed a ramp at the airport in the Russian city of Makhachkala, looking for Israelis on board a plane that arrived from Tel Aviv. Police arrived at the scene, and clashes followed that left over 20 people injured and more than 80 detained. Officers restored calm by the morning, and the interior ministry launched a criminal case into mass unrest.

"This suggests that, in fact, they are most likely pursuing their own interests, rather than the interests of some third nations and third countries. In this case, the interest of fighting Russia and destabilizing Russia from within. This is absolutely unacceptable in our multinational country," Putin said at a meeting with the new members of the Civic Chamber of Russia.

The events that took place in Dagestan will thoroughly investigated and a response will be issued in accordance with the Russian laws, Putin added.

Russia's GDP Growth This Year to Be Around 3%

The GDP growth in Russia will amount to 2.8% to 3% this year, the president stated.

"This year, our GDP growth will be 2.8%, or even 3%," Putin emphasized, noting that the leading economies of Europe will not have any GDP growth.