Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on at a ceremony to receive credentials from newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Russia at the Kremlin in Moscow on April 5, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)
MOSCOW/KYIV – Relations between Russia and the United States are experiencing "a deep crisis," Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.
Putin commented on the state of Russia-US relations during a ceremony where the president received letters of credence from 17 newly-appointed ambassadors of foreign states.
"Relations between Russia and the United States… are going through a deep crisis," the president said, adding that this crisis was rooted in "fundamentally different approaches to the formation of the modern world order."
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia stands in favor of building relations with the United States if these are based on the principles of equality, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs
Putin noted that global security strongly depends on the relations between both countries, and that the United States is ultimately responsible for both the Ukrainian crisis and the deterioration of bilateral ties with Russia.
Putin said that Russia stands in favor of building relations with the United States if these are based on the principles of equality, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
The Russian president further commented on Russia's strained relations with the European Union.
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He said that the EU no longer aimed to develop economic cooperation and promote integration on the European continent, but was currently focused on "initiating a geopolitical confrontation with Russia."
Putin expressed the hope that it would ultimately be possible to build relations with the EU, and that "the logic of mutual cooperation" would prevail.
Ukrainian plane crashes
Separately, a small Ukrainian aircraft crashed in Russia's Bryansk region, RIA Novosti reported Wednesday citing the regional Federal Security Service (FSB).
Members of the border department of the FSB of Russia in the Bryansk region "recorded a violation of the state border" by the Ukrainian aircraft, according to RIA.
"For unknown reasons, the plane crashed near the village of Butovsk, in the Bryansk region," local media reported citing the FSB.
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Members of the border department of the regional Federal Security Service of Russia in the Bryansk region "recorded a violation of the state border" by the Ukrainian aircraft, according to RIA report
The pilot, who is a Ukrainian citizen, tried to escape by entering Ukrainian territory. He was detained by a border patrol, it added.
A procedural decision is expected to be made following an investigation into the incident.
$14.1 billion for reconstruction
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Finance Ministry said the country needs about $14.1 billion this year to implement rapid recovery in conflict-affected areas.
Out of the amount, some 3.3 billion dollars has been allocated from the state budget, and the Ukrainian government hopes to raise the remaining funds from donors and the private sector, the ministry said in a statement.
According to the statement, Ukraine plans to collect part of the money through the Multi-Agency Donor Coordination Platform.
This year, the Ukrainian government will focus on rapid recovery in such areas as energy infrastructure, humanitarian demining, and restoration of damaged housing.
The reconstruction of critical and social infrastructure, and support for small and medium-sized businesses are also among government priorities.
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Launched on Jan 26, the Multi-Agency Donor Coordination Platform is aimed at coordinating existing and new mechanisms to support Ukraine's budget, as well as rapid recovery and reconstruction, according to the statement.