Putin explains assistance to Ukraine by difficult situation in brotherly country
MOSCOW. Dec 19 (Interfax) - The substantial economic assistance that Russia should provide to Ukraine in line with the Tuesday agreements between the two countries has been dictated primarily by the fact that Ukraine has found itself in a difficult financial and political situation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"I'll tell you without any sarcasm: we often hear phrases like 'brotherly country' or 'brotherly nation', and we see today that Ukraine is in a difficult situation economically, socially, and politically," Putin said at a press conference on Thursday.
"The situation has been prompted by a number of circumstances and reasons, but this situation is objective. And if we really say that this is a brotherly nation and a brotherly country, we should act as close relatives and support the Ukrainian nation in this difficult situation," he said.
