Putin: Kyiv nationalists could commit a massacre like Srebrenica

MOSCOW, (Patria) - Russian President Vladimir Putin held his regular annual press conference today, announcing that he will run as an independent candidate for the presidency of Russia in the upcoming elections.

Putin emphasized that he expects the support of many parties and public organizations, and called on the opposition to start proposing something concrete instead of shouting in the squares.

The main topics of Putin's annual address were healthcare, increasing salaries and pensions, and foreign policy, with a special emphasis on Syria, Ukraine, and North Korea.

Putin accused the Ukrainian leadership of having no desire to start a political process to resolve the crisis.

- Regarding the tragedy that is unfolding there, one must always look at the initial source, which is a coup d'état. There is no Russian army on the territory of Donbas. Certain militia units have indeed been formed there, ready to repel any military action against Donbas.

We believe this serves the interests of the people living in that territory; otherwise, Kyiv's national battalions would commit a massacre in Donbas, like in Srebrenica – said the Russian president.

This is the second time in less than two months that the Russian president has mentioned Srebrenica in the context of the current situation in Ukraine.

- As long as political issues remain unresolved, these territories do not enjoy special status, and there is no amnesty law, the decision to close the borders between Russia and the unrecognized republics will lead to a situation similar to the one in Srebrenica. There would be bloodshed. We cannot allow that to happen – Putin said at the Valdai International Discussion Club forum in Sochi two months ago.