'Had no other choice', 'was forced': What Putin says to defend war on Ukraine

Russia was prepared in one way or another for what is now happening from the point of view of sanctions policy, Putin said as he defended his attack on Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday defended his action that has brought the world to the precipice of war and said he had no other option but to order the special operation against Ukraine. All previous attempts of Moscow to change the security situation had come to nothing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with representatives of the business community at the Kremlin in Moscow,

Facing several sanctions for the situation in Ukraine, Putin on Thursday held a televised meeting with business leaders and told Alexander Shokhin, the head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs that Moscow had been forced into taking action and knew that sanctions would follow.

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"We all understand the world we live in and were prepared in one way or another for what is now happening from the point of view of sanctions policy," Putin said. "Russia remains a part of the global economy."

"I want to thank you for what has been done so far in rather difficult conditions," Putin told Shokhin as Shokin said Russia should now stimulate extra demand for government debt from private investors.

As Putin launched the strike on Ukraine, he said if any country tries to attack Russia in retaliation, there will be consequences. "Whoever tries to impede us, let alone create threats for our country and its people, must know that the Russian response will be immediate and lead to the consequences you have never seen in history," he said as he authorised the attack.

“All relevant decisions have been taken. I hope you hear me," he had said.