Russia's State Duma demands foreign politicians stop inciting Ukraine's crisis. (Photo: rt.com)

(VOVworld)- The crisis in Ukraine was caused by internal factors, not by Russia, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with members of the Security Council of the Russian Federation (SCRF) in Sochi on Thursday. He pointed out that as Ukraine borders Russia, Moscow must be concerned about the complicated development there and has in one or another way been impacted by them. Putin asked Council members to consider the next steps to establish relations with partners and friends in Ukraine as well as in the EU and the US .