Russia Ready to Give a Helping Hand to Ukraine to Overcome Ordeal - Putin

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia will do everything in its power to help Ukraine overcome the current crisis and to re-establish normal bilateral relations as soon as possible, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

"On our part, we will do everything in our power to help Ukraine pass this difficult period in its history as quickly as possible, and everything to re-establish normal bilateral relations," Putin said addressing a concert-meeting for commemoration of the first anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia.

"Extreme nationalism is, certainly, very dangerous and harmful. And I am sure the Ukrainian people will give a deserved and objective assessment of the actions carried out by those who brought the country to the current state of affairs," Putin added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crimean leaders signed a reunification treaty on March 18, 2014 following the referendum, in which the overwhelming majority of the region's population backed seceding from Ukraine and returning to Russia. However, Kiev and the West labelled Crimea's secession an "annexation" and started introducing sanctions against Moscow.

Russian authorities repeatedly reiterated their commitment to the peaceful resolution of the internal Ukrainian conflict taking part in reconciliation talks at different levels.

In December 2014, during his annual address to the Federal Assembly, Vladimir Putin said that Russia has always supported Ukraine as a "brother nation," and this position will not change anytime in the future.

 

Тем временем Москва встречает праздничную речь на концерте #МыВместе громогласным "ура!" pic.twitter.com/Jc4eOucmAn

— Лана Алиева (@lanaDaga) 18 Март 2015

Горжусь Россией-Горжусь Крымом��������#мывместе by lidagorodetskaya pic.twitter.com/12htlBbEek

— InstaЛефортово (@InstaLefortovo) 18 Март 2015

Место встречи изменить нельзя! На концерте #МыВместе с @MitinRussia :) pic.twitter.com/KrAo4R9A0S

— Анастасия Галкина (@Galkina_AI) 18 Март 2015