New Delhi: Hours after launching a military operation in Ukraine on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the actions were being taken to defend Russia from those who have taken Ukraine hostage.
"The current events have nothing to do with a desire to infringe on the interests of Ukraine and Ukrainian people. They are connected with defending Russia from those who have taken Ukraine hostage and are trying to use it against our country," said Putin.
"People living in territories which are part of today’s Ukraine were not asked how they want to build their lives when the USSR was created or after WW2. People living in today’s Ukraine, anyone who want to do this, must be able to enjoy this right to make a free choice," Putin added.
Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, while warning other countries that any attempt to interfere with Russian action "will have consequences they have never seen before."
"I have made the decision of a military operation," he said in a televised address, news agency AFP reported.
Amidst invasion fear, Kremlin prior said that rebel leaders sought support against what was depicted as "aggression from the Ukrainian Armed Forces".
Russia's Putin has said the “responsibility of any bloodshed will be on the conscience of Ukrainian regime."
"Our plans (of special military operation) in Ukraine do not include occupying Ukrainian territory. We will aim at demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine," he was quoted as saying in reports.
Meanwhile, as Ukraine said Russia has launched “full invasion”, US President Joe Biden warned of "catastrophic loss of life".
“I'll be monitoring the situation from White House this evening and get regular updates from my national security team. Tomorrow, I'll meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning... We'll coordinate with our NATO allies,” Biden added.
Amid the military crackdown on Ukraine, Putin warned other countries not to attempt to interfere with Russian action.