Putin on Military Op in Ukraine: Russia Was Left With No Other Choice
Early on Thursday morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military action to “demilitarize” Ukraine, calling the situation “life and death” for Russia after years of NATO encirclement.
Putin reiterated that point on Thursday afternoon, saying there was “no other way” to defend Russia other than
Speaking to representatives of Russia’s business community on Thursday, Putin said that Moscow had no other choice but to act in Ukraine, and that Russia’s partners should understand that and not push them out of the system. The meeting had been planned in advance, but Putin said it was still taking place “under non-standard conditions.”
Putin also said the government should give more freedom to entrepreneurs, but that he could not forecast geopolitical risks.
The US has threatened Russia with sanctions able to crush the Russian economy if it were to take military action inside Ukraine. Following Putin’s recognition of the two Donbass republics on Monday, the US, UK and Australia imposed a “first tranche” of sanctions targeting Russian state development banks and dealings in Russia’s sovereign debt, as well as leading Russian government and social figures.
Details coming in……
