Putin: Russia “has not even started anything serious in Ukraine yet”

Vladimir Putin said Russia “has not even started anything serious in Ukraine yet” as he spoke to the leaders of the State Duma factions.

"We have heard many times that the West is going to fight against us until there are no more Ukrainians left. It is tragic news for the Ukrainians, but it looks like it is going to be this way, unfortunately,"

he said.

“If the West wanted to provoke a conflict in order to get to the new stage of fighting Russia, of holding us back, they were successful to a certain extent. The war is on, and the sanctions are in place,” Putin said.

Sergey Mironov, leader of the Just Russia faction, suggested that the combatants of the so-called “DPR” and “LPR” be considered Russian servicemen. Putin responded positively to the initiative.

The spring session of the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of the parliament, finished yesterday. On the last day, the MPs suggested introducing prison sentences of 12 to 20 years for partaking in a military conflict “against the interests of Russia.”

It was also suggested that high treason and espionage be punished more harshly. This will include collecting, storing and sharing sensitive information which can be used against Russia’s military, potentially from 10 to 20 years in prison as a punishment. Switching sides during a military conflict will also be considered high treason.