(VOVworld) – It was futile for US President Barack Obama to identify Russian aggression in Europe as one of the three "major threats facing humanity", Russian President Vladimir Putin told Serbia’s “Politika” newspaper on Wednesday prior to his official Serbia visit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Photo: Reuters)

Russia will consider measures in retaliation for sanctions by the US and the West that suit Russia’s national interests. Putin suggested the West should clearly realize that attempts to put pressure on Russia through unilateral illegitimate sanctions will not bring a resolution to the Ukraine crisis but only hinder dialogue. He warned that trying to isolate Russia is “an absurd and illusory goal” which is obviously impossible to achieve and would seriously undermine the economic health of Europe and the world.

Putin said Russia wants to cooperate with its Ukrainian partners for mutual benefit despite the current complications. He said this can only be achieved when peace has been restored in Ukraine.