Putin slams Western containment policies, hails Russia-China ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a meeting with Russian ambassadors, envoys and diplomats at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Moscow, July 1, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Putin discusses Ukraine crisis, gas pipeline during Austrian visit

MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday developments of the Ukrainian crisis testified to Western countries' lasting attempts to contain Moscow, and hailed Russia- China ties as a paragon of international relations.

"We must understand clearly that the developments provoked in Ukraine are a concentrated manifestation of the notorious policy of containment," Putin told Russian ambassadors and permanent envoys.

"Obviously, that policy has never been interrupted even after the end of the Cold War," RIA Novosti news agency quoted him as saying.

His remarks came hours after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko declared to terminate the ceasefire in southeastern regions.

Putin said Poroshenko "has had nothing to do with orders to start military operations, but now he has assumed the responsibility in full - not only military but also political, which is much more important."

Noting Russia as well as some European countries had tried to convince Poroshenko to drop military options, Putin blamed the decision by the newly-elected president on outside pressure.

Meanwhile, he said, events happening around the world have shown that the unipolar model based on western domination as well as double standards toward Russia were "no longer operational."

"I hope pragmatism will triumph after all," said the president. "The West will rid itself of the ambitions and desire to put ' world barracks' in place, to line all up by ranks and to force uniform rules of conduct and living on society."

Russia was not interested in a bystander's role in international affairs, he added.

"If we are given the role of bystanders, who do not have a final say on key issues, which are of vital interest for us, then these formats are not interesting for us," Putin said.

Noting Moscow has always strived to be "predictable," the strongman said "in return, our legitimate interests were often ignored."

The Russia-China friendship, however, is an example of how international relations should look like, Putin noted.

"It is principally important that the Russia-China friendship is not targeting against any other country. On the contrary, it has been an example of equal, respectful and fruitful cooperation between the countries in the 21st century," Interfax news agency quoted him as saying.

Putin attributed the successful bilateral cooperation to the common approach taken by Moscow and Beijing toward global and regional issues.

Firm guarantees of undivided security, stability, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs must be the norm of all international affairs, he added.

On Russia-US ties, Putin said the bilateral relations were not as good as they might be.

Meanwhile, he said Russia had no intention to curtail relations with the United States, but to be ready for "a constructive dialogue ... only on an equal basis."