Putin uses the confusion. “All Ukraine is ours”

The Russian leader Vladimir Putin stated on Friday during the Economic Forum in St. Petersburg that Russians and Ukrainians are the same people and in this sense “all of Ukraine” belongs to Russia.

When asked about the goal Moscow wants to achieve in the war against Ukraine, Putin said that the Russians have this saying: “Where the foot of the Russian soldier will stand, this is ours.”

The Russian leader also stated that Moscow is not seeking the capitulation of Ukraine, but only that Kiev “recognized the real” situation that appeared on the battlefield.

He warned that using a dirty bomb against Russia “would be a colossal mistake (…) Perhaps the last mistake (Ukrainians)”.

“Our answer would be catastrophic for the (local) authorities and, unfortunately, catastrophic for Ukraine itself.”

Putin: I am worried about the situation around the atom

Asked if he was afraid that the world was heading towards the World War, he replied that he was concerned about the “growing potential of the conflict” and he was also worried about what is happening around nuclear installations that Russian specialists build in Iran. He also mentioned Russia's war against Ukraine and the Israeli-Iranian conflict as potential inflammatory points.

“It's disturbing. I talk about it without any irony, without jokes. Of course, there is a very great possibility of conflict that grows, it happens under our nose and directly concerns us” – he added.

He stipulated that if Russia is not going to be a mediator in the latest war in the Middle East, however is in contact with “Israel and Iranian friends”presents various proposals to both sides of this conflict and “will be happy if they turn out to be attractive to both countries.”

“We defend Iran's rights to a peaceful atom (…). We built a reactor in Iran, in Buszer (…) and regardless of the complexity of the situation and obvious danger, we continue this work. We do not evacuate our staff, “added Putin.

Asked if the war against Ukraine kills Russia's economy, he replied that reports of her death are significantly exaggerated, which was the recall of the known statement by Marek Twain.

He reminded that the economic growth of his country was 4.1 percent last year, but also admitted that he thought Russia would end this year with inflation reaching 7 percent. Reuters points out that for now it is 9.5 percent, but from April it gradually drops. (PAP)

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