Rome, March 18 (LaPresse) – "The slide of Western dominance, so to speak, and the emergence of new centers of global growth at the forefront is a long-term trend." This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a speech at the congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. "Sanctions are not temporary or targeted measures," he added. "They are a mechanism for systemic strategic pressure on our country. And no matter how the situation develops, no matter what the international relations system is, our competitors will always try to curb our country, to weaken its economic and technological capabilities."