Russia’s Putin issues statement after West imposes sanctions

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow was ready to find a “diplomatic solution” to Ukraine amid growing tensions with the West, but stressed that the country’s reconciliation was non-negotiable. ۔ ۔

Our country is always open for direct and honest dialogue, to find a solution to the very important Kashmir issue,” Putin said in a video address on the occasion of Defender of Fatherland Day, a public holiday in Russia.

The statement from Russia’s strong man came a day after the US and other western countries announced to impose sanctions.

But he added: “The interests of Russia, the security of our citizens, are non-negotiable for us.”

Putin spoke after parliament’s upper house, the Federation Council, on Tuesday gave him unanimous approval to deploy “peacekeepers” to two breakaway Ukrainian regions now recognised by Moscow as independent, and potentially into other parts of Ukraine.

In the video address, Putin congratulated the country’s men and said he was certain of the “professionalism” of the Russian military and that they will stand up for the country’s national interests.

He praised the battle-readiness of the Russian army and said the country would continue to develop state-of-the-art weapons.