President Vladimir Putin has taunted the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, declaring that the alliance has failed to defeat Russia through Ukraine.
Putin spoke at the Kremlin during a meeting with military personnel participating in the special military operation as part of the Russia Day commemoration.
The premier said his country stands alone against the “so-called collective West represented by NATO,” with several countries supporting actions directed against Russia.
”It was them (NATO) who started the war,” he emphasized. “I have said this many times, we did not initiate the conflict when the special military operation began (in 2022).”
Putin insists NATO’s “coup d’etat in Ukraine” and deployment of artillery and rocket systems compelled Russia to protect the people of Crimea (in 2014), leading to the war in eastern Ukraine.
“We did not wake up one day and decided that we would start a war tomorrow,” he said. “For eight years, we attempted to achieve a peaceful settlement.”
Putin recalled Moscow urging the Ukrainian authorities to talk with southeastern Ukraine, where Russians live, and were repeatedly assured that agreements would be implemented.
The President said despite the Minsk Agreements, Russia’s foes openly admitted in recent months that the pact was intended to provide time for Kyiv to rearm and launch warfare.
Noting that they made a mistake by revealing their objective publicly, Putin accused some countries of joining NATO “in the hope of securing their share of the benefits.”
On the negotiation moves by Ukraine and some European capitals, Putin expressed Moscow’s receptive disposition but stressed that discussions must factor in Russia’s “long-term” interests.
”There is only one piece of advice we can offer our adversaries: do not fight Russia. Never attempt to do so,” he warned. “Those (talks) must be genuine negotiations, not ultimatums.”
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