Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that if the US gives Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, Russia will destroy them. Putin made these remarks in an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin on Rossiya-1.

He noted that Ukraine doesn't have these systems so far.

Two days ago, Putin assured reporters that an "antidote" to these systems will be discovered and that "the Patriot is a very antiquated system."

In his interview, the Russian President stressed that Moscow wants to unite the Russian people as opposed to the West, which has long sought to destabilize the nation. “The Ukraine crisis is a result of the policies of Moscow’s geopolitical opponents” who have sought to split Russia,” Putin said.

“‘Divide and rule’ - they have always tried to do this, and they are trying to do it now. But our goal is something else. It is to unite the Russian people,” he said.

Furthermore, he assured that Moscow is moving in the right direction, aiming to protect its national interests and the interests of its citizens. The Russian leader also voiced Russia’s readiness to talk about acceptable solutions “with all the participants in this process.” 

He also commented on stalled talks to end the war, saying “it’s they who refuse negotiations, not us”.

"We are ready to negotiate with all participants to this process [the conflict in Ukraine] on some acceptable resolutions, but it is their business. It is them and not us who refuse to negotiate," Putin stated.