Putin suggests Western states criticizing Russia assess legitimacy of their own moves

NOVO-OGARYOVO. March 4 (Interfax) – Far from all moves of Western countries are legitimate, Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to the Western criticism of Russia.

“We are often accused of taking illegitimate actions. And when I ask if they think [their actions] are totally legitimate, they say yes. They have to be reminded about the U.S. actions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya,” Putin told reporters on Tuesday.

Western troops acted in those countries “either without any authorization from the UN Security Council or distorted the meaning of its resolutions,” he noted.

The UN Security Council resolution allowed only for a ban on flights of government aircraft in Libya, and “everything ended up with bombardments and the engagement of special-purpose units in ground operations,” Putin said.

“Our partners, especially in the United States, have always been formulating their geopolitical and state interests coherently and clearly, pursuing these interests in a steadfast manner, and adjusting the rest of the world to their [interests] according to the famous wording “those who are not with us are against us”,” Putin said.

“Those who refuse to adjust are cowed straightaway. And, in the end, they are usually downtrodden,” he said.

“We proceed from a different premise. We proceed from [the premise of] acting in a legitimate way. I have always urged the observation of international legal norms,” Putin said.

As to consultations about Ukraine with the Western leaders, he said, “Our conversations are of a confidential nature, and some of them are even conducted over secure lines. So, I think I have no right to disclose what we have discussed with our partners and how,” he said.