Russia is not going to go to war with the people of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. When asked by journalists whether he is concerned about the fact that sending Russian troops to Ukraine may trigger a war, Putin said: “No, I am not concerned about that because we are not going and will not go to war with the people of Ukraine.”

“If we make this decision [to send troops to Ukraine], it will only be to defend Ukrainian citizens. And let the [Ukrainian] troops try shooting their people, who have us behind them. Not in front of them, but behind them,” Putin said.