Putin Paints a Besieged Russia, Says U.S. Wants to 'Rip Out Its Teeth and Claws'

President Vladimir Putin struck an uncompromising stance over the crisis gripping Russia, accusing the U.S. and European Union of trying to undermine his nation’s economy and blaming external factors for the ruble’s sharp drop.

“They won’t give up because they will always try to chain it,” Putin said during his annual press conference in Moscow, comparing Russia to a bear protecting its territory. “As soon as they chain it, they’ll rip out its teeth and claws.”

Attended by hundreds of reporters and carried live on television around the world, the more than three-hour event took on heightened importance this year as the president sought to reassure a Russian public unnerved by the country’s worst financial dilemma since a 1998 default .... http://www.bloomberg.com