Moscow - (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday accused the West of seeking to "divide" what he described as "historic Russia" that includes Ukraine, more than ten months after the Kremlin's military offensive against the neighboring country.

"Everything is based on the policy of our geopolitical opponents who aim to divide Russia, historical Russia," Putin said in an interview broadcast on Russian television, stressing that Moscow's "goal is completely different, which is to unite the Russian people."

Putin used the concept of "historical Russia" to say that Ukrainians and Russians are one people, which undermines Kiev's sovereignty and justifies his ten-month-old attack on Ukraine.

"We are acting in the right direction, we are protecting our national interests, the interests of our citizens and our people," Putin said.
The Russian president repeated his statements that Moscow is "ready to negotiate with all participants in this process (to find) an acceptable solution" to the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on his first trip outside Ukraine since the offensive began in February, had strong pledges of support from US President Joe Biden, including the Pentagon's most advanced air defense system.
Referring to the Patriot missile systems that Zelensky had promised, Putin said, "Of course, we will destroy them 100 percent."