٠٠:٠٤:٤٩Russian President Vladimir Putin said that accusations that his country was violating international law were false, during the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) on Russky Island, Primorsky, on Wednesday.
"Now a lot of people are saying that Russia is violating international law. I believe that this is absolutely wrong. Who started the war in Iraq without any United Nations sanction? Who destroyed Yugoslavia under plausible pretexts? Who did that? Who waged war in the middle of Europe by bombing Belgrade? No one remembered then the principles of international law," the president said.
According to Putin, Russia has the right to assist those exercising their right to 'self-determination', like in the Donbass, as well as offer 'protection’, all in compliance with UN standards.
"If we have recognised them [the LPR and DPR], can we conclude an international treaty on friendship, co-operation and mutual assistance with them? Of course we can. We have done so. This treaty has been ratified by the Russian parliament and their parliaments and there are certain obligations on the Russian side: to assist them, including in case of aggression... This is what we are doing. Does this comply the UN Charter? It does. There is Article 51 of the UN Charter, which speaks about protection, about self-defence," Putin said.
Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine in late February after recognising the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics' independence (DPR and LPR).
Kiev denounced the Russian action, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation.
During peace talks, Russia called for Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral, providing guarantees that it will never join NATO.
The Eastern Economic Forum opened in Vladivostok on the campus of Far Eastern State University on September 5. The event will continue until September 8, and will include more than 90 meetings and discussions.
Russia: 'Who started the war in Iraq? Who destroyed Yugoslavia?' - Putin on accusations of Russia violating international law
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that accusations that his country was violating international law were false, during the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) on Russky Island, Primorsky, on Wednesday.
"Now a lot of people are saying that Russia is violating international law. I believe that this is absolutely wrong. Who started the war in Iraq without any United Nations sanction? Who destroyed Yugoslavia under plausible pretexts? Who did that? Who waged war in the middle of Europe by bombing Belgrade? No one remembered then the principles of international law," the president said.
According to Putin, Russia has the right to assist those exercising their right to 'self-determination', like in the Donbass, as well as offer 'protection’, all in compliance with UN standards.
"If we have recognised them [the LPR and DPR], can we conclude an international treaty on friendship, co-operation and mutual assistance with them? Of course we can. We have done so. This treaty has been ratified by the Russian parliament and their parliaments and there are certain obligations on the Russian side: to assist them, including in case of aggression... This is what we are doing. Does this comply the UN Charter? It does. There is Article 51 of the UN Charter, which speaks about protection, about self-defence," Putin said.
Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine in late February after recognising the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics' independence (DPR and LPR).
Kiev denounced the Russian action, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation.
During peace talks, Russia called for Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral, providing guarantees that it will never join NATO.
The Eastern Economic Forum opened in Vladivostok on the campus of Far Eastern State University on September 5. The event will continue until September 8, and will include more than 90 meetings and discussions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that accusations that his country was violating international law were false, during the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) on Russky Island, Primorsky, on Wednesday.
"Now a lot of people are saying that Russia is violating international law. I believe that this is absolutely wrong. Who started the war in Iraq without any United Nations sanction? Who destroyed Yugoslavia under plausible pretexts? Who did that? Who waged war in the middle of Europe by bombing Belgrade? No one remembered then the principles of international law," the president said.
According to Putin, Russia has the right to assist those exercising their right to 'self-determination', like in the Donbass, as well as offer 'protection’, all in compliance with UN standards.
"If we have recognised them [the LPR and DPR], can we conclude an international treaty on friendship, co-operation and mutual assistance with them? Of course we can. We have done so. This treaty has been ratified by the Russian parliament and their parliaments and there are certain obligations on the Russian side: to assist them, including in case of aggression... This is what we are doing. Does this comply the UN Charter? It does. There is Article 51 of the UN Charter, which speaks about protection, about self-defence," Putin said.
Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine in late February after recognising the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics' independence (DPR and LPR).
Kiev denounced the Russian action, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation.
During peace talks, Russia called for Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral, providing guarantees that it will never join NATO.
The Eastern Economic Forum opened in Vladivostok on the campus of Far Eastern State University on September 5. The event will continue until September 8, and will include more than 90 meetings and discussions.