Russia will act as it sees fit to protect its interests - Putin

Russia will act as it sees fit to protect its interests, said Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to MPs and ministers in the Crimea.

"The United States pulled out from the Treaty on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms just like that, and that was that. The Americans proceeded from interests of national security," Putin said.

"And we will do exactly the same, when it deems necessary and beneficial for our interests," he added.

According to him, Russia, like any other state, has a variety of ways and means to ensure their national interests.

"These, among other things, include military means, but this is not a panacea, and we are not going to run around a razor and wave this razor around the world," Putin said.