They're trying to divide Russia : Putin

Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized the Western countries for trying to "dismember" Russia. He said that the purpose of his attack on Ukraine was to "unite the Russian people."

Ignoring Kyiv's sovereignty and justifying his 10-month invasion of Ukraine and using the concept of "historical Russia", Putin has argued that Ukrainians and Russians are the same people.

In an interview, Putin accused Russia's "geopolitical opponents" of aiming to break Russia down. "Divide and conquer, which is what they have always tried to do and are still trying to do," added President Putin.