Vladimir Putin has said that Russia's intervention in Ukraine had been necessary because the West was "preparing for the invasion of our land, including Crimea".
"Nato is actively pursuing our territory. That is absolutely unacceptable to us. We are talking about neo-Nazi's in Ukraine that the US and its partners are working with," he said.
"Ukraine is receiving the most modern weaponry from Nato. The decision for this special military operation was forced and was the only correct decision."