In an interview on Russia 1, the Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia “didn’t argue, but had a different viewpoint”.
“Firstly, Crimea has always been ours, even from a legal point of view”, – Putin said, calling the connection of Crimea “the highest degree of manifestation of democracy”.
In an interview, he was asked whether a quarrel of such magnitude was worth the fact that the Russian Federation “acquired” Crimea, while practically “losing” Ukraine.
According to the President, Russia did not quarrel with Ukraine.
“After all, we didn’t quarrel with Ukraine, we had different views with those who are in power in Ukraine today. And Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, were our brotherly people, and will remain such ones forever”, – he said.
Putin also admitted that he would run for the post of head of state for a new term if the corresponding amendment to the constitution of the Russian Federation is adopted.
“I know this from my own experience, instead of normal rhythmic work at very many levels of power, yawing in search of possible successors will begin”, – he said.