Putin says Russia was 'under threat' and claims 'Kyiv had a choice

RUSSIA'S President Vladimir Putin justified his illegal invasion of Ukraine today by claiming Russia was 'under threat' and insists Kyiv 'had a choice'.

Putin also said Russia would achieve its goals and would not submit to what he called a Western attempt to achieve global dominance and dismember the country.

In a televised speech to government ministers, Putin went further than before in acknowledging the pain that Western sanctions were inflicting on the economy, but insisted that Russia could withstand the blow.

There was no sign of any softening in his bitter invective against the West and Ukraine.

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