MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. Power in Kiev has been usurped by a small group of embezzlers who need war to maintain their position, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission.

"Power [in Ukraine] has been usurped by a small group of embezzlers and corrupt officials who need war to remain in power without elections and to continue creating conditions for robbing their own people, to line their pockets with money from sponsors, including those from Europe," Putin said.