Putin: No reasons, preconditions to introduce martial law in Russia

MOSCOW. March 5 (Interfax) - There are no preconditions in Russia for introducing martial law or some other special regime, and there are no such plans, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Martial law is introduced in the country in line with the law by a presidential decree, and it has to be confirmed by the Federation Council's decision, in case of aggression from the outside, including in particular areas of combat actions. But we don't have a situation like this, and I hope we won't have one," Putin said at a meeting with female employees of Russian airlines on Saturday.

"A special regime is also introduced by a decree and with the Federation Council's confirmation in the case of some large-scale internal threats. And another regulation, such as a state of emergency, is introduced, as a rule, in particular areas or across the entire territory of the country in case of manmade disasters, natural cataclysms, and so on," he said.

"Thank God, there are no such things, either. We aren't planning to introduce any special regime inside the Russian Federation's territory. Not planning to, and there is no such a need today," he said.

Putin reiterated that martial law can be introduced "in case of aggression from the outside, a military threat."

"I hope this won't happen, despite irresponsible statements by some officials," he said.