Vladimir Putin denies plans to occupy Ukraine

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia is not going to occupy Ukraine.

"The Russian troops near Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities have nothing to do with the occupation of this country. We have no such a goal," Putin said.

Speaking about the invasion of Ukraine, he stressed that the possibility of a diplomatic settlement was completely exhausted.

"We simply had no choice. We were simply forced to launch a special military operation," - said the Russian leader.

According to him, the Ukrainian authorities do not care about the local civilian population.

He added that Russia was ready to discuss the status of Ukraine's neutrality, its demilitarization and denationalization through negotiations.