- Vladimir Putin asserts that Russia is not to blame for the conflict in Ukraine.
- The Russian president stated that he still views Ukraine as a “brotherly nation”.
- He said the conflict was “due to third-party policies,” not Russian.
Vladimir Putin asserts that both countries are “sharing a tragedy” and that Russia is not to blame for the conflict in Ukraine.
The Russian president stated that he still views Ukraine as a “brotherly nation” in a televised talk with senior military leaders.
He claimed the conflict was “the result of the policy of third countries” and not down to Russian policy.
A number of countries outside of Russia have expressed their disagreement with the notion, which suggests that western expansion is the root of the problem.
President Putin claimed the West had “brainwashed” post-Soviet republics, starting with Ukraine.
He said: “For years, we tried to build good-neighbourly relations with Ukraine, offering loans and cheap energy, but it did not work.
“There’s nothing to accuse us of. We’ve always seen Ukrainians as a brotherly people and I still think so.
“What’s happening now is a tragedy, but it’s not our fault.”
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