President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he hoped he would not have to send Russian troops into eastern Ukraine, but reminded viewers of his annual call-in show that he has the approval of the upper house of the Russian parliament to do so.
“I very much hope that I will not have to use this right, and that political and diplomatic means” can be employed to solve Ukraine's problems, the president said.
Putin reiterated commitment to Russians and Russian-speakers in eastern Ukraine, saying: “We should do everything to help these people defend their rights and independently decide their fate. For that we will fight.”
Russian government officials have repeatedly said that Russian-speakers in eastern Ukraine, which has recently seen a spree of building seizures by pro-Russian separatists, are under threat from the country's new central government in Kiev.
The Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament, approved a request by Putin in early March to use force in Ukraine.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
