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Vladimir Putin's annual state of the nation address

Putin calls hypocritical human rights talk that covers state coup in Ukraine

According to the Russian president, it is pure cynicism to support an armed seizure of power, violence and murders

Damaged house in Donetsk region Mikhail Pochuyev/TASS

Damaged house in Donetsk region

© Mikhail Pochuyev/TASS

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Putin calls Crimea's reunification with Russia historical

MOSCOW, December 4 /TASS/. All talk about human rights is hypocritical if it is used to cover a state coup in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his annual state of the nation address to the Russian Federal Assembly on Thursday.

He said that Russia had condemned the state coup staged in Kiev in February this year when power was seized by force.

“What we currently see in Ukraine, the tragedy of its south-eastern regions fully confirms that our stance is right,” Putin said adding that a decision by President Viktor Yanukovich to finalize the Association Agreement with the European Union was made in full compliance with the constitutional powers of a legitimate and internationally recognized head of state.

“In this context, is it possible to support an armed seizure of power, violence and murders? How can one support that under the cover of protecting international law and human rights?” This is pure cynicism,” Putin said.

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Ukraine Vladimir Putin

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FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

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