LAKE SELIGER Russia (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.

"Russia is far from being involved in any large-scale conflicts," he said at the camp on the banks of Lake Seliger. "We don't want that and don't plan on it. But naturally, we should always be ready to repel any aggression towards Russia.

"Russia's partners... should understand it's best not to mess with us," said Putin, dressed casually in a grey sweater and light blue jeans.

View galleryRussian involvement in Ukraine
Pro-Russia fighters are seen in Troitsko-Khartsyzk, east of Donetsk, on August 28, 2014 (AFP Photo/F …
"Thank God, I think no one is thinking of unleashing a large-scale conflict with Russia. I want to remind you that Russia is one of the leading nuclear powers."

Putin spoke easily with the students, many of whom looked to be asking scripted questions about demography and history. Other times he accepted gifts or, smilingly, played down their praise.

When a student said that she had not heard a single negative comment about Putin's presidency from camp speakers, he responded with a grin that "objectivity" was important.

His tone darkened when speaking on Ukraine, blaming the United States and the European Union for the "unconstitutional" removal of Kiev's former Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovich and replacement with a pro-European government.

He said eastern Ukraine did not agree with Yanukovich's removal and was now subjected to "crude military force" from government planes, tanks and artillery.

"If those are contemporary European values, then I'm simply disappointed in the highest degree," he said, comparing Ukraine's military operations in the east of the country with the Nazi siege of Leningrad in World War Two.

"Small villages and large cities surrounded by the Ukrainian army which is directly hitting residential areas with the aim of destroying the infrastructure... It sadly reminds me of the events of the Second World War, when German fascist... occupiers surrounded our cities."
http://news.yahoo.com/putin-says-russia-ready-respond-aggression-123956691.html

PUTIN and ISIS combination have drawn the world to the brinks of her ANNIHILATION !!

That is why i prefer Nuclear Weapon in the WEST alone.


I am sure any American President or British Prime Minister that utter that kind of useless statement would have been preparing his resignation papers by now.

Putin should understand that he is not the only one that has Nuclear weapon. Even Isreal can boast of plenty Nuclear War Heads.

He should not underestimate the power of technological anti nuclear weapons. Isreal has one in advance stage of testing.

Hmmmmmm

Ok

THANK GOD SAY NIGERIA NO DEY FINE TROUBLE.

Nuclear war surely will annihilate mankind. USA dont mess wit Putin

Hehe...Putin lives life like it's an action movie.

Ebele should not mess with our Boko boys either

When will all this stop. God help us.




***Frontpage....YEAH!!***

Nawa for dis pple ooo. There can never be peace anywhere in the world unless Jesus Christ takes over the reign of tins.

Don't mess with ebola africa

No be wetin dey do Russia dey do me.

I wish my oga at the top could say the same thing .....but

the fear of russia is the begining of wisdom

Lobatan...... This one is hard o

Puttin stop playing wit fire.

If NUCLEAR war begins.....hmmn well no worries sha cos I know say Naija go be one of the safest countries... Na we go end this world by ourselves!

Winners72: Nawa for dis pple ooo. There can never be peace anywhere in the world unless Jesus Christ takes over the reign of tins.

wen jesus dey alive on earth waa der peace

Mr putin calm down bro

Russian Maffias...hehe

It seems Cold War is back with this statement from Putin, but it is still a MAD situation(Mutual Assured Destruction).
Deterrence is still the word.

I like firm,stern and bold leaders who do not mix/mince words when speaking. That's who Putin is.

MAD factor should keep these giants on their toes and their fingers away from the trigger. All these international d1ck measuring contests is making me very nervous.

datguru: THANK GOD SAY NIGERIA NO DEY FINE TROUBLE.

Trouble don locate nija already... Corrupt n cruel police...boko haram....Ebola ......desertation in the army.....slicing of people's throats in their homes in borno.....which trouble are you seeking again?

Russia keeps the balance!

pDude:

The statement shows more of weakness than strength. It is the sort of things you would have expected from North Korean Leaders.

No reasonable countries "boast" publicly of their nuclear deterrent except when they are really desperate to show their relevance.