Putin at the conference for Ukraine: The last picture was retold by the paranoid

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said on Tuesday that since Russia has tried to co-operate with all independent countries that have emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the situation in Ukraine is different because of intervention by foreign states, writes CNN, Pryscopy.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has reconciled to the new geopolitical reality and, as you know, it is actively working to empower co-operation with all independent states that have emerged on the post-Soviet course”, Putin said.

We aim to work this way with all our neighbours, but with Ukraine, the situation is different. That is because, unfortunately, this country's territory is being used by the third parties to pose a threat to the Russian Federation itself. That is the only reason”, the Russian president added, during meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Moscow.

Speaking of his decision on recognition as independent states of Donnetsk and Luhansk, Putin said: “I must say we have predicted speculation that Russia will build an empire within imperial borders. This is not true at all”, as he announced he will discuss the situation with his Azerbaijani counterpart in Ukraine.