Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that events unfolding in Ukraine should not be described as a revolution, but were rather more reminiscent of a “pogrom.”
The Russian leader said ongoing mass demonstrations were unrelated to Ukraine’s recent decision to pull back from signing a series of landmark deals for closer economic integration with the EU.
“This internal political process is an attempt by the opposition to destabilize the existing legitimate rule in the country,” Putin said in Yerevan.
Putin said what was happening in Kiev betrayed signs of a long-prepared strategy.
“These actions are, in my opinion, prepared not in view of current events, but for the 2015 election campaign,” Putin said.
