The Russian president’s comments came as the military said that some troops were withdrawing from the border near Ukraine – the first sign from Moscow of a possible de-escalation of tensions.
However Western leaders say there is no evidence of the withdrawal yet.
President Putin was speaking in Moscow following a four-hour meeting with Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, who is the latest Western leader to visit the region to try to de-escalate tensions.
Putin has always denied he is planning an incursion, but tensions have been rising since November, when Russian troops started massing near the border with Ukraine.
