Putin said US and Europe "crossed a red line" on Ukraine:
3/18/14, "Putin Reclaims Crimea for Russia and Bitterly Denounces the West," NY Times, Steven Lee Myers, Ellen Barry
"“Crimea has always been an integral part of Russia in the hearts and minds of people,” Mr. Putin declared in his address, delivered in the chandeliered St. George’s Hall before hundreds of members of Parliament, governors and others. His remarks, which lasted 47 minutes, were interrupted repeatedly by thunderous applause, standing ovations and at the end chants of “Russia, Russia.” Some in the audience wiped tears from their eyes....
Mr. Putin appeared Tuesday evening at a rally and concert on Red Square to celebrate an event charged with emotional and historical significance for many Russians. Among the music played was a sentimental Soviet song called “Sevastopol Waltz.”...
He said that the United States and Europe had crossed “a red line” on Ukraine by throwing support to the new government that quickly emerged after Mr. Yanukovych fled the capital following months of protests and two violent days of clashes that left scores dead....
He
linked the uprisings in Ukraine and the Arab world and ominously warned
that there were efforts to agitate inside Russia. He suggested that
dissenters at home would be considered traitors, a theme that has
reverberated through society with propagandistic documentaries on state
television and moves to mute or close opposition news organizations and
websites.
.
.
“Some
Western politicians already threaten us not only with sanctions, but
also with the potential for domestic problems,” he said. “I would like
to know what they are implying — the actions of a certain fifth column,
of various national traitors? Or should we expect that they will worsen
the social and economic situation, and therefore provoke people’s
discontent?”"
.
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