Putin thanks God he did not have to use Russian Army in Ukraine

Photo: AP photo

Russian President Vladimir Putin is glad that he did not have to resort to the right to use armed forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine. Putin received the right from the Federation Council at the time when the conflict  around Crimea started brewing.

During his visit to Vienna, Austria, Putin said that Russia had not used its armed forces in the literal sense of the word for combat actions in Ukraine, reports Interfax. "Thank God," Putin added.  

"Moreover, we have not increased exceeded the number of the Russian troops, provided by international treaties. In this sense, the Russian president has not used the right given to him from the upper house of the parliament," said Putin.

Vladimir Putin acknowledged that the Russian armed forces ensured freedom of expression of the Crimean residents and blocked several armed groups of the Ukrainian Army "so that it does not interfere in the process of expression, to avoid victims." 

The revocation of the decree about the right to use the Russian army in Ukraine does not mean that Russia will not pay attention to the events happening in Ukraine, Putin warned Kiev.

Putin appealed to the Federation Council of Russia to withdraw the resolution on the use of Russian armed forces on the territory of Ukraine prior to his visit to Austria. Putin hopes that Russia's latest move will contribute to the normalization of the situation in Ukraine.

During the press conference in the Austrian capital, Putin said that despite the truce declared by the Ukrainian side, Ukrainian troops landed near Slavyansk and combat actions in the area resumed.