2 Mar 2014 21:25

West has no grounds for sending troops to Ukraine - Matviyenko

MOSCOW. March 2 (Interfax) - Neither NATO, nor the United States has any grounds for sending troops to Ukraine, said Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko.

"On what grounds would they do this? We are being strictly guided by the law and the constitution. Substantial grounds must be available for using this extreme measure," she said.

She said Moscow was motivated by the current threat to Russian compatriots' lives and security in the Crimea.

Only after the Russian president decides on the strength of the military contingent and weaponry, will a financial estimate be drawn up and decisions urgently made on the financial backup for the use of Russian troops in Ukraine, Matviyenko said.