Vladimir Putin warned the West that attempts to isolate Moscow would fail, citing the success of the Soviet space programme as evidence that Russia could achieve spectacular leaps forward in tough conditions, writes Reuters.

Russia says it will never again depend on the West after the United States and its allies imposed crippling sanctions on it.

“The sanctions were total, the isolation was complete but the Soviet Union was still first in space. We don"t intend to be isolated. It is impossible to severely isolate anyone in the modern world - especially such a vast country as Russia”, - Putin said.

He added that the “special military operation” in Ukraine is necessary because the United States was using Ukraine to threaten Russia - including via the NATO military alliance - and that Moscow had to defend Russian-speaking people in Ukraine from persecution.

He said on Tuesday that he had no doubts Russia would achieve all of its objectives in Ukraine - a conflict he cast as both inevitable and essential to defend Russia in the long term.

“Its goals are absolutely clear and noble. It’s clear that we didn"t have a choice. It was the right decision”, - said Putin.