We do not intend to isolate ourselves from anyone, we have no preconceived or what's more hostile intentions towards anyone. - Vladimir Putin

Just as one must respect our interests since almost 17 million ethnic Russians live in Ukraine and half of all Ukrainian families have ties with the Russian Federation.

It’s apparent that organizing an economic blitzkrieg against Russia and demoralizing our society, taking us by force, didn’t work.

We in Russia have always considered Russians and Ukrainians to be one people. I still think so. (Мы всегда в России считали, что русские и украинцы – это один народ. Я так думаю и сейчас.)