Putin: 'Russia Had No Other Choice'

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking in Moscow. States that the 'military operation' in Ukraine is a "necessary measure. We were left no choice but to do it"

• "What's happening is by necessity. They could have created such risks for us that it wasn't clear how the country [Russia – not Ukraine] could have continued to exist."
• Putin states that 'Russia remains part of the globa economy...Our partners should understand that and should not push out out from this system'.
• State-owned Sputnik tweets: "Putin says Kremlin 'prepared' for impact of US sanctions on Russian economy"
• Comments come as Putin meets with heads of major Russian companies at the Kremlin.
• Comes as markets await decisions from Western nations/blocs on the level of sanctions to be placed on Russia. UK seen to be pushing hard for removal of Russia from SWIFT system. Germany, Italy, Hungary, Cyprus seen as opponents at EU level.