"They almost cried". Putin complains about sanctions

Vladimir Putin expressed his grievances regarding Western sanctions imposed on Russia, claiming that representatives of Western companies were nearly in tears over their inability to conduct business with Moscow. He criticized the sanctions as foolish and noted that some European firms were forced to leave the Russian market due to pressure from their governments. Putin mentioned that Russia still has many friends in Europe and that some companies continue to operate in Russia, for which the government is trying to create favorable conditions. His comments highlight the sensitivity of sanctions for Russia amid its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, especially as foreign assets are being transferred to state control.