Russia is ready to protect Ukraine from external interference

Responding to the question on the situation in Crimea, the President of Russia states its readiness to protect Ukraine from any interference from outside.

“If Ukrainian leadership considers the possibility to turn to us for help, we will be ready, without being immersed in these problems, without drawing Russia in the solution of similar problems, to render assistance to our nearest neighbour, without any exaggeration, sister republic Ukraine, to protect it, if someone is tempted to interfere in the internal affairs of the Ukraine from outside. To allow Ukrainian leadership and people to solve these problems independently,” stated President Putin answering the question on possible involvement of Russia in the settlement of Crimean Tatars’ problems.

President Putin stressed that the Crimean Tatars’ problem is a very sensitive issue. Russia is a multinational state with the thousand-year culture of the interethnic conflicts settlement, Russia's Putin added. “Crimea is a part of Ukraine, and we cannot interferein the home affairs of the other country,” concluded Vladimir Putin mentioning that Russia does care the events happening in Crimea.