If Russia were to introduce troops to Ukraine, it will be a legitimate decision, as there is an appeal to Moscow the legitimate Ukrainian authorities, said the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. At the same time, he expressed confidence that Russia will never wage war against the Ukrainian people.
At a press conference at his suburban residence of Novo-Ogaryovo the Russian leader said that in Kiev there was an anti-constitutional coup, the authorities in Kiev did not give the order to fire on the people – the attack on the demonstrators were, he suggested, the provocation of one of opposition parties.
Answering the question about possible sanctions of the West against Russia, Putin called them counterproductive and expressed readiness to cooperate with all Western partners, despite the fact that they supported the armed seizure of power in Ukraine.
The Russian President has declared that all military installations in Crimea are in the hands of the self-defense forces, formed by the population of the Peninsula.
The Crimea will be provided humanitarian aid, and the need for the introduction of Russian troops in the region, he said. According to Putin, the recent movement of troops near the border with Ukraine were only associated with military exercises and no relation to the events in the Crimea do not have.
At the same time, Putin noted that he understands the demand cardinal changes on Ukraine, whose population is already more than one year suffers from economic problems, from corrupt officials at various levels.
Putin: if Russia were to introduce troops to Ukraine, it would be legal
