This is a helpful piece by Lada Ray, which indicates that Mr. Putin is carefully leading the planet away from "apocalypse" (namely, world exploding) and towards peaceful solutions.
"He doesn't see materializing the apocalyptic scenario of a full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine. Volatile statements such as Poroshenko's promise to get back Crimea at any cost don't help. Crimean land does and always will belong to Russians, Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars, as well as Greeks and Germans – together with the core population, there are Greeks and Germans living in Crimea as well. As to what country Crimea belongs with, the vote to secede and join Russia was the choice of the Crimeans, and such choice must be respected. Russia certainly can't ignore or disrespect it. "Hopefully, our partners abroad will soon come to respect the people's choice as well."
"Those who follow the statements by Putin and Lavrov, would be interested to know that in this interview the always careful Putin for the first time uses the words 'our opponents' when talking about US. Before that, both Lavrov and Putin always used the words 'our partners' when referring to Americans. This is in stark contrast to the US customarily referring to Russia as 'axis of evil', one of the three threats (per Obama) the 'world' faces today, the other two being 'Ebola and ISIS.'
"Putin still uses the words 'our partners' when referring to the EU/Germany/France, thus signalling the differentiation in approach and acknowledging a rift between US and EU."
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Vladimir Putin Interview: "I Don't See the Apocalyptic Scenario Materializing." (with my English translation)
On February 23, Russia celebrated the traditional DAY OF THE PROTECTOR OF THE FATHERLAND. On this day, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an interview to the talk show host Vladimir Solovyov, whom I mentioned previously in my piece about Russian analysts and geopolitical shows: My recommendations: Top Russian Geopolitical Analysts.
Vladimir Putin said that:
He doesn't see materializing the apocalyptic scenario of a full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine. Volatile statements such as Poroshenko's promise to get back Crimea at any cost don't help. Crimean land does and always will belong to Russians, Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars, as well as Greeks and Germans – together with the core population, there are Greeks and Germans living in Crimea as well. As to what country Crimea belongs with, the vote to secede and join Russia was the choice of the Crimeans, and such choice must be respected. Russia certainly can't ignore or disrespect it. "Hopefully, our partners abroad will soon come to respect the people's choice as well."
A large European country such as Ukraine must first focus on how to normalize life and how to stop bloodshed on its territory. Ukraine needs to fix its economy and social sphere, and start talking in a civilized way to the South-East of the country. Ukraine also needs to respect its people's rights. To make all this happen, Minsk agreements must be implemented.
Those who follow the statements by Putin and Lavrov, would be interested to know that in this interview the always careful Putin for the first time uses the words 'our opponents' when talking about US. Before that, both Lavrov and Putin always used the words 'our partners' when referring to Americans. This is in stark contrast to the US customarily referring to Russia as 'axis of evil', one of the three threats (per Obama) the 'world' faces today, the other two being 'Ebola and ISIS.'
Putin still uses the words 'our partners' when referring to the EU/Germany/France, thus signalling the differentiation in approach and acknowledging a rift between US and EU.
Putin also notes that the West doesn't see the obvious, namely, that there is a civil war in Ukraine, not Russian invasion, because it doesn't want to. "World-wide MSM monopoly allows our opponents to behave the way they do."
Putin continues: "The recent hostile remarks by Kerry and Poroshenko may be a reaction to my, not very careful, remark during my recent visit to Hungary. I said that it was embarrassing to lose to former Donbass miners and tractor drivers. It would be bad if they lost to Russia, but not nearly as embarrassing as losing to the simple Donbass citizens."
In conclusion, Putin very diplomatically remarked that he personally got an impression that Merkel and Hollande were genuine in their desire to avert war and to bring peace to Ukraine. Although the relations between Russia and Germany/France aren't fully back to normal and trust hasn't been re-established yet, there is an improvement.
Watch Putin's video interview in Russian
Russian:
В.СОЛОВЬЁВ: Уважаемый господин Президент, только что вся страна отметила День защитника Отечества, а на территории братской Украины теперь это считается днём захвата Крыма, и Порошенко заявляет, что сделает всё возможное для того, чтобы вернуть Крым. Какова стадия сейчас российско-украинских отношений? Проснёмся ли мы в один день, узнав, что началась война?
В.ПУТИН: Я думаю, что такой апокалипсический сценарий вряд ли возможен, и надеюсь, что до этого никогда не дойдёт.
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