Putin: Washington is behind the crisis in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin, talking to the reporters on Tuesday after his meeting with the leaders of Kazakhstan and Belarus directly accused Washington of being behind Ukrainian events all along, although initially "keeping a low profile”.

Vladimir Putin also said that he has called on Kiev to start an all-Ukrainian dialogue, in order to “find a compromise”.

"I think what is happening now shows us who really was mastering the process from the beginning. But in the beginning, the United States preferred to remain in the shadow,” said the Russian President, as quoted by RIA Novosti. 

More specifically he added that the fact that US has taken a lead role in resolving the political crisis in Ukraine, is “telling that they originally were behind this process, but now they just have emerged as leaders”.

However, Vladimir Putin said he sees no need for counter sanctions against the West, although he left open the possibility to reconsider the involvement of Western companies in Russia's economy, including the energy sector, if sanctions continue.

"We would very much wish not to resort to any measures in response. Let's hope it doesn't come to this", he said and went on to add “But if something like that continues (the sanctions), we will of course have to think about who is working in the key sectors of the Russian economy, including the energy sector, and how”.