Putin Issues A Warning To The West: 'Don't Mess With Nuclear Russia'

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to the media after talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Minsk, Belarus August 27, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool

Don't Mess With Nuclear Russia, Putin Says -- Reuters

(Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Russia's armed forces, backed by its nuclear arsenal, were ready to meet any aggression, declaring at a pro-Kremlin youth camp that foreign states should understand: "It's best not to mess with us."

Putin told the assembly, on the banks of a lake near Moscow, the Russian takeover of Crimea in March was essential to save a largely Russian-speaking population from Ukrainian government violence. He said continued fighting in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists launched an uprising in April, was the result of a refusal by Kiev to negotiate.

Ukraine, and Western governments, accuse Russia of sending troops and armor to back the separatists in a conflict that has already killed over 2,000 people. Russia denies the charge.

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More News On Other Comments Made By Russian President Putin

Putin Commends Separatist Militias in Ukraine -- New York Times
Vladimir Putin praises successes of rebel 'army of New Russia' -- The Telegraph
Putin says Kiev's refusal to negotiate with separatists is problem -- Reuters
Putin Lashes Out at Ukraine Over Failure of Talks -- WSJ
Putin Says Ukraine Must Be Forced Into Talks to Stem Crisis -- Bloomberg
Putin: Kiev’s shelling in E. Ukraine reminiscent of Nazi actions during WWII -- RT
Russia's Putin says Ukrainian operations in east reminiscent of Nazi siege -- Reuters
Putin likens Ukraine's forces to Nazis and threatens standoff in the Arctic -- The Guardian
Putin says Russians and Ukrainians 'practically one people' -- Reuters
Putin urges release of Ukrainian soldiers -- FOX News
Corridor: Putin calls on Ukraine militia to let out surrounded Kiev troops -- RT
International Recognition of Crimea as Part of Russia to Be ‘Long and Tiresome’ – Putin -- RIA Novosti