Cheney: Russia used oil to intimidate, blackmail

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Russia under President Vladimir Putin has recently “unfairly and improperly restricted the rights of the people,” Vice President Dick Cheney told a conference of Eastern European leaders Thursday.

Cheney cautioned that such actions could affect relations with other countries.

“No legitimate interest is served when oil and gas become tools of intimidation or blackmail, either by supply manipulation or attempts to monopolize transportation,” Cheney said.

“And no one can justify actions that undermine the territorial integrity of a neighbor, or interfere with democratic movements.”

AP