Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said he has always respected the people and culture of Ukraine — a neighboring country his forces invaded without provocation earlier this year, starting a war that has claimed thousands of civilian lives.But, Putin went on to say, Russia couldn't allow what was happening in Ukraine to the Russian culture and the Russian language, according to a video of his remarks shared by Ukraine World.When justifying his invasion in February, Putin baselessly asserted that Ukraine was not a real country, was created by the Soviet Union, and had no legitimate right to statehood.Kupchan added that "the breadth and vehemence with which he went after all things Ukrainian was remarkable."Speaking Wednesday, Putin also said he would stabilize the four regions of Ukraine that he has claimed are now part of Russia, an annexation dismissed as illegal and invalid by Ukraine and the West."