Russian president Vladimir Putin has threatened the United States and other Western powers over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, saying that his country won’t be “blackmailed” by increasing sanctions.
Fighting between Ukraine and pro-Russian forces has left the country deeply divided and war-torn, and has put Russia and many other countries at odds.
Russia has denied sending troops or material support to pro-Russian rebels but the U.S. and Europe has implemented sanctions on top Russian officials anyway, believing that Putin may be lying.
Putin said in comments to Serbian newspaper Politika that the sanctions are unacceptable and that they won’t force him to do anything.
“We hope that our partners will realize the recklessness of attempts to blackmail Russia, will remember the risks that a spat between major nuclear powers incurs for strategic stability,” he said.
For our part, we are ready to develop constructive cooperation on the principles of equality and real consideration of mutual interests.”
Putin made similar comments in August, telling a group of Russian youth that foreign powers should take care not to “mess with us,” adding: “Thank God, I think no one is thinking of unleashing a large-scale conflict with Russia. I want to remind you that Russia is one of the leading nuclear powers.”
He also said this week that the West is ultimately behind the conflict in Ukraine, including the removal of the pro-Russian president in February, and that the takeover of Crimea was legitimate because most of its citizens voted to join Russia.
“Attempts to pressure Russia by means of one-sided, illegitimate restrictive measures are not bringing us towards a resolution, and are complicating dialogue,” Putin added.
“How can one talk about striving for de-escalation in Ukraine if new sets of sanctions are being introduced almost at the same time as agreements to promote the peace process are reached?”
