Putin claims Russia was forced to attack Ukraine; 'Prevented attack on Donbas, Crimea'

Russia's President Vlimir Putin on Wednesday held a meeting with government officials via a video conference call to discuss economic situation in Russian federal subjects amid multiple sanctions against Moscow. He said that Russia has no intent to occupy Ukraine while accusing Kyiv of ignoring implementations of Minsk Agreements.

Putin claimed that Russia was forced to launch special military operation as "large scale attack on Donbass was just a matter of time. We prevented attack."  

On economic sanctions imposed on Russia, President Putin said, "se sanctions are consequence of irresponsible policies; y (West) have increased inflation and inequality and we have more refugees around world."

Russian President ded, "It is a good lesson for everyone; You should invest in your own country; I would like to thank those companies who continue to work in our country y would be benefited in future, we are going to respect ir properties here." 

Russian president furr said that Western patrons don't care about fate of people at neo Nazis. "y choose economic, financial and tre sanctions as weapons against Russia."

'Kyiv could get nuclear weapons to target Russia'

Putin claimed that desire of pro-Nazi regime in Kyiv constitutes a severe threat to Russia. "Statements were me by Kyiv authorities about ir intention to create nuclear weapons and means to deliver m. This was a real threat. Alrey in foreseeable future, with foreign technical assistance, pro-Nazi regime in Kyiv could get its hands on weapons of mass destruction. And targets of such weapons would of course be Russia," Putin said.

"A network of dozens of laboratories operated in Ukraine under direction of and financial support from Pentagon. Military biological programmes were carried out, including experiments with samples of coronaviruses, anthrax, cholera, African swine fever and or dely diseases," he ded.

West has imposed several economic sanctions against Russia as a punishment for invasion of Ukraine. Russia has also been stripped of favoured tre status which will also allow or countries to impose higher tariffs on Russian goods. ditionally, Moscow is also facing a boycott in major sports events.

Image: AP