16 Mar 2022 17:24

Appearance of Russian troops near Kyiv, other Ukrainian cities not associated with wish to occupy Ukraine; this is not our objective - Putin

MOSCOW. March 16 (Interfax) - Russia had to start a special military operation in Ukraine because it did not have any more diplomatic ways of solving security problems, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"All diplomatic possibilities had employed in full. They just didn't leave us any options of solving problems arising through no fault of our own using peaceful means. And in that regard, we just had to start the special military operation," Putin said at a meeting on measures to provide socio-economic support for the Russian regions on Wednesday.

"The appearance of Russian troops near Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine has nothing to do with an intention to occupy this country; this is not our objective," he said.