MOSCOW. May 23 (Interfax) - Russia did not start any war but is trying to stop one through its special military operation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"We've been told frequently, and we hear, that Russia has started some war. No. With the special military operation, Russia is trying to stop this war, which is being waged against us, against our people, some of whom found themselves outside of the boundaries of the historical Russian state because of historical injustice. However, they haven't stopped being our people because of that," Putin said at an award ceremony on Tuesday.
Russia is going through hard times now, and yet it will do its utmost to protect these people, he said.
"It's a special moment of our strong consolidation and our keener national feeling today, our desire to reinforce the foundations of our spirituality, whatever it takes, and provide opportunities in the fields of economy, production, and upbringing of our young people to guarantee an unconditional future for our country," Putin said.
He praised the recipients of state awards for their visible and tangible contribution to this mission.