09:45
17.4.2014
09:41
17.4.2014
Other considerations for Crimea
Kremlin propaganda chief Kiselyov: NATO is growing like a cancer around us. I feel like I'm being suffocated by NATO. Of course, you can say I'm being paranoid, but it doesn't mean I'm not right. As a leader of Russia do you feel suffocated?
Putin: We don't have fear, but we should be basing our activities on realities. The reality that you described is accurate. NATO has continued to expand despite promises. I used to say, "why are you doing that? What's the point?"
It's true that people have a right to choose how they defend themselves, but it's also true that when the military moves towards our borders we're forced to take measures in response.
Our decision in Crimea was also based on "other considerations." If we didn't do anything after a while they would use the same principles and drage Ukraine into NATO. And soon NATO ships would be in Simferopol.
"They would push us out of the Black Sea."
Kremlin propaganda chief Kiselyov: NATO is growing like a cancer around us. I feel like I'm being suffocated by NATO. Of course, you can say I'm being paranoid, but it doesn't mean I'm not right. As a leader of Russia do you feel suffocated?
Putin: We don't have fear, but we should be basing our activities on realities. The reality that you described is accurate. NATO has continued to expand despite promises. I used to say, "why are you doing that? What's the point?"
It's true that people have a right to choose how they defend themselves, but it's also true that when the military moves towards our borders we're forced to take measures in response.
Our decision in Crimea was also based on "other considerations." If we didn't do anything after a while they would use the same principles and drage Ukraine into NATO. And soon NATO ships would be in Simferopol.
"They would push us out of the Black Sea."
09:36
17.4.2014
09:34
17.4.2014
Putin on Tymoshenko
Even though she had an emotional breakdown and promised to destroy Russia, I know her personally.
Even though she had an emotional breakdown and promised to destroy Russia, I know her personally.
09:32
17.4.2014
...But says willing to "meet with anyone" at ministerial level.
09:30
17.4.2014
09:29
17.4.2014
09:29
17.4.2014
Now Putin says West Ukraine not really Ukraine either.
Q: For 22 years Ukraine opposed Russia. It was part of their strategy. The most horrible thing is that we have seen this come into bloom because the country is turning "nationalist, even Nazi." How can we get our point across? Can we persuade the west to listen and understand us?
Putin: I would disagree with you here. I disagree that Ukraine is a damned land. This land of Ukraine suffered a lot and it's a complicated community. The parts that have Naziism are in the West of Ukraine. That land was largely divided in the past -- never were they full scale citizens of those countries.
The Novorossiya part of Ukraine is deeply rooted in the Russian state and mentality. Now they are part of this different Ukraine, put in place "part-by-part" by the Soviet Union.
Q: For 22 years Ukraine opposed Russia. It was part of their strategy. The most horrible thing is that we have seen this come into bloom because the country is turning "nationalist, even Nazi." How can we get our point across? Can we persuade the west to listen and understand us?
Putin: I would disagree with you here. I disagree that Ukraine is a damned land. This land of Ukraine suffered a lot and it's a complicated community. The parts that have Naziism are in the West of Ukraine. That land was largely divided in the past -- never were they full scale citizens of those countries.
The Novorossiya part of Ukraine is deeply rooted in the Russian state and mentality. Now they are part of this different Ukraine, put in place "part-by-part" by the Soviet Union.
09:23
17.4.2014
More history lessons from Putin
Q: Who benefits from myth that Russian armed forces are going to attack Ukraine? Who's trying to alienate us from our brothers and partners. Can we invite people to border regions with Ukraine.
Putin: Desire to cause division between Russia and Ukraine has been happening for centuries. Former tsarist leaders always considered this territory as part of one state. Now the attempts to divide one people who happen to be in two states continue.
Q: Who benefits from myth that Russian armed forces are going to attack Ukraine? Who's trying to alienate us from our brothers and partners. Can we invite people to border regions with Ukraine.
Putin: Desire to cause division between Russia and Ukraine has been happening for centuries. Former tsarist leaders always considered this territory as part of one state. Now the attempts to divide one people who happen to be in two states continue.
09:19
17.4.2014
Putin: Russia created conditions with armed forces, but did not force Crimea into Russia. It was a natural process.