"Our very harsh position on well-known crisis situations, including Ukraine, should make our partners understand that the most correct path is to stop building walls and start building a common humanitarian space, a security space, and economic freedom," Putin said.
A bloody military conflict has been unfolding in Ukraine since a coup in February put a West-leaning government into power and led to a massive uprising in the east of Ukraine.
Moscow's stance on the situation, as well as its decision to provide crisis-hit eastern provinces with essential humanitarian aid, was met with criticism in the West. The United States, the European Union and their allies slammed Russia for interference in Ukraine's domestic affairs, which Moscow has repeatedly denied, reiterating its commitment to the fastest crisis resolution.
