Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi, says U.S. "unilateral diktat" escalates conflicts.
From RFE/RL's News Desk:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the United States of escalating conflicts around the world by imposing what he called a "unilateral diktat."
Putin made the remarks at the Valdai International Discussion Club, which is taking place in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.
He said risks of serious conflicts involving major countries have risen, as well as risks of arms treaties being violated.
In the fight against terror, Putin said the West was battling with the "results of its own politics."
He also dismissed international sanctions over Russia's actions in Ukraine as a "mistake," saying they would "hurt everyone."
"We did not start this," he added, referring to rising tensions between Russia and the West.
From our newsroom:
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin in a telephone call to push for a quick resolution of the ongoing gas dispute with Ukraine as winter looms.
The call by Merkel to Putin on October 24 comes as representatives of the EU, Russia, and Ukraine are due to meet again next week in EU brokered talks aimed at solving the gas dispute between Kyiv and Moscow.
Merkel also underlined that upcoming elections in areas of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists must respect Ukrainian national law.
Pro-Russian insurgent leaders are boycotting a parliamentary snap poll on October 26 in Ukraine and are holding their own election in the Lugansk and Donetsk regions, home to nearly three million people, on the same day instead.
Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
That *is* more than 131 feet!