“The fact that our relations have deteriorated with Ukraine, in principle, is not connected with the Crimea,” TASS quoted him as saying on the program “Moscow. Kremlin. Putin "on the channel" Russia 1 ".
The head of state recalled that at first a coup d'etat and "seizure of power" took place in Ukraine, after which the "views and paths" of Moscow and Kiev diverged.
“From that moment on, our views and paths with the leadership of Ukraine became diametrically opposed and we diverged. But only after that Crimea returned to Russia, and not vice versa, ”Putin stressed.
He also expressed confidence that "this foam will sooner or later subside."
In June, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky expressed the view that without the "return" of Crimea to Ukraine, establishing relations with Russia is impossible.
He also announced his intention to "return the issue of Crimea" to the agenda.
Crimea became the Russian region after a referendum held there in March 2014, in which most residents spoke out for reunification with Russia.