Russian-Ukrainian cooperation irks numerous countries because it creates a global competitor to challenge them, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, Eurasia Diary reports citing Vestnik Kavkaza.
"Any integration of Russia and Ukraine, along with their capacities and competitive advantages would spell the emergence of a rival, a global rival for both Europe and the world. No one wants this," he told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
"That's why they'll do anything to tear us apart," Putin stressed, refraining from mentioning the countries he had in mind.