Putin defends Crimea action as 'humanitarian mission'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has defended his country's intervention in Ukraine.

 

Putin said that the pro-Russian former government in Kiev was illegally overthrown and that ousted Ukrainian president asked him for military help.

 

According to the Washington Post, Putin asserted that the troops wearing unmarked uniforms in Ukraine's Crimea region are members of local self-defense groups and not Russian forces.

 

Putin also accused the West of encouraging an 'unconstitutional coup' in Ukraine.

 

In his first public comments about the crisis since President Viktor Yanukovych was deposed Feb. 22, Putin described Ukraine as lawless.

 

He added that sending troops was a humanitarian mission.