In case of any further spread of violence in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, Russia retains the right to protect its interests and Russian speaking population of those areas.
Putin defends Russia's stance on potential military involvement in Ukraine.
Share
More from Vladimir Putin
We must realize that the moment when nothing can be changed any longer may come very quickly and unexpectedly for everyone. The logic of escalating, increasingly harsh retaliatory measures leads to a fatal point of no return.
Your choice and determination will show once again that millions of people are backing our fighters and that we stand together.
Nobody can divide or intimidate us, undermine our statehood, our public and political system.
Such a high, even record, number of people who came out and voted shows that the people of Russia support our efforts aimed at strengthening the country.
Other voices in this conversation
