Putin Calls Kiev to Takeover a Coup

World Today

Russian President Vladimir Putin says the “civil war” – as he calls it – in Ukraine is the fault of the United States.

He told an economic forum that, while Russia has troops still massed on the Ukraine border, it is the U.S. that is fomenting violence. CCTV’s Daria Bondarchuk reports from Moscow.

Putin Calls Kiev to Takeover a Coup

Russian President Vladimir Putin says the "civil war" - as he calls it - in the Ukraine is the fault of the United States. He told an economic forum that, while Russia has troops still massed on the Ukraine border, it is the US that is fomenting violence. CCTV’s Daria Bondarchuk reports from Moscow.

During the question and answer session at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum Vladimir Putin said the February events in Ukraine, when pro-European protesters took power in Kiev, was a coup d’état, which has evolved into a civil war.

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, stated: “There was a coup d’état backed by our American and European partners. Then, there was chaos and now we are witnessing a full-scale civil war”.

The President stressed that Russia, more than any other country is interested in halting the violence and restoring order in Eastern Ukraine.

Putin also said: “We are interested that, on our western borders – I am speaking without any irony – in our brother country Ukraine, peace has begun, and calmness. And, of course, we work (even) today with those who control the power, but after the election, we will of course work with the newly elected structures.”

Furthermore, he pledged that Russia “will respect the choice of the Ukrainian people” who are set to elect a new president on May 25th.

Speaking on economic sanctions, introduced by the West against Russia over its alleged interference into Ukrainian crisis, Vladimir Putin suggested some countries to gain economic advantage.

He said: “Insisting on applying sanctions to Russia, Maybe our American friends – they are sophisticated guys – want to get a competitive advantage in their trade and economic relations over Europe.”

The Russian President said sanctions could have a boomerang effect in the modern world where all economies are inter-connected. After elections are held in Ukraine, all military actions in its South Eastern regions will be ended.