The West is using Ukraine as a tool for fighting the Russians, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said, speaking at a meeting of the Valdai international discussion club. Russia’s opponents are finding more and more new ways and tools to try to get rid of it, the head of state added.
“Now Ukraine and Ukrainians are being used as such a tool, Ukrainians who are simply being cynically trained against Russians, essentially turning them into cannon fodder. And all this is accompanied by talk of a European choice. What a choice. We certainly do not need such a choice,” Vladimir Putin said.
The President pointed out that Russia has never initiated the use of force, but in situations where it is necessary, the country will take all measures to protect its citizens.
“Our country has never and does not initiate the use of force. We have to do it only when it becomes clear that the opponent behaves aggressively, does not perceive any, absolutely no arguments. And when it is necessary, of course, we will take all measures to protect Russia and each of its citizens,” he said.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Western ideas of the new world order hypocrisy. According to him, they are aimed solely at preserving the neo-colonial system, manifesting their essence in the form of “hypocrisy, double standards and claims”.