Putin: West trying to provoke 'color revolutions', 'bloodbath' in other countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Western governments of interference and attempting to provoke “color revolutions” in countries.

Speaking via a video link with the heads of the intelligent services of the ex-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States on Thursday, Putin said the West is also trying to provoke a “bloodbath” in other countries.

The Russian leader also said conflicts in the countries of the former USSR, including Ukraine, are the result of the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“It is enough to look at what is happening now between Russia and Ukraine and what is happening on the borders of some other CIS countries. All this, of course, is the result of the collapse of the Soviet Union,” Putin said.

Armed conflicts have returned to various parts of the former Soviet empire. 

In the past month the region has seen clashes between the two Central Asian countries of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Putin pointed fingers at the West, saying it was "working on scenarios to fuel new conflicts" in the post-Soviet space. 

"We are witnessing the formation of a new world order, which is a difficult process," Putin said, echoing earlier statements about the waning influence of the West. 

Nord Stream leaks 'international terrorism'

Separately, Putin told Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a call that leaks in the Nord Stream pipelines linking Russia to Europe were "international terrorism".

Russia's president gave his "assessment of the unprecedented sabotage, in fact, of the act of international terrorism, against the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines," according to a readout of a call from the Kremlin. 

Russia began the military operation in Ukraine in February. Ever since, the United States and its European allies have unleashed an array of unprecedented sanctions against Russia and poured numerous batches of advanced weapons in Ukraine to help its military fend off Russian troops. Moscow says such measures will only prolong the war.

US preparing new $1.1bn arms package for Ukraine as referendum held in east

The United States readies a new $1.1 billion arms package for Ukraine as Ukrainians in the east have voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to join Russia.

In its latest attempt to fan the flames of war, Washington assured Kiev of further military and financial support, Ukraine's top general has said, after discussing the matter with the top US Army commander.

The generals spoke by telephone on the eve of a ceremony at which President Putin will sign documents of Russia's annexation of four regions in Ukraine.

“I had a conversation with General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of the United States European Command,” General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, wrote on the Telegram.

“We have shared thoughts on the operational situation, further plans and needs for weapons. I have shared with General Cavoli the vision of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine regarding the mobilization in Russian federation. I have received encouraging esteem and assurances of further support,” Zaluzhnyi said.

The US Senate approved $12 billion in new economic and military aid for Ukraine Thursday as part of a stopgap extension of the federal budget into December.

The budget extension was agreed by senators of both parties as an interim measure to avoid a looming shutdown of the government, and has to be approved by the House of Representatives before the end of the week. 

The measure includes $3 billion for arms, supplies and salaries for Ukraine's military, and authorizes President Joe Biden to direct the Pentagon to take $3.7 billion worth of its own weapons and materiel to provide Ukraine. 

On Wednesday, Washington announced it will provide an additional $1.1 billion in aid to Ukraine, with funding for about 18 more advanced rocket systems and other lethal weapons.

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