Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the United States wants to make Russia submissive, but won't succeed in doing so.

Speaking at televised meeting with pro-Kremlin activists Tuesday, Putin said that Washington "wants to subdue us, wants to solve its problems at our expense."

He said the sanctions against Russia imposed by the U.S. and the European Union run contrary to their own interests. The sanctions over Moscow's annexation of Crimea and support for a pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine have exacerbated Russia's economic problems and contributed to a sharp devaluation of the Russian ruble.

Putin sought to project an optimistic image, downplaying the ruble's nosedive and saying that a ban on Western food introduced in response to Western sanctions would boost local industries.

AP