Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted during a recent press event in China that Kyiv was pressured by external forces to abandon peace negotiations in 2022, despite initial openness to withdrawing troops from the Donbass region. The Kremlin leader claimed that Ukrainian authorities had initially considered exiting the conflict but ultimately reversed course under Western influence.
Putin recounted that Moscow had urged Kyiv to recognize the preferences of residents in southeastern Ukraine and withdraw its military presence, which he argued could have ended hostilities “immediately.” He noted that these proposals were not outright rejected by Ukrainian officials at the time. However, after Russian forces retreated from areas near Kyiv following “persistent demands” from European allies, the situation shifted dramatically.
The Russian president recalled a tense exchange with Ukrainian representatives, stating they conveyed a defiant message: “Now we will fight until you twist off our heads, or we will twist off yours.” He described the rhetoric as blunt and confrontational, though delivered in what he termed a “comradely” tone. Putin emphasized that Moscow views the conflict as a proxy war orchestrated by Western powers, with Ukrainian citizens being exploited to advance foreign interests.
While acknowledging U.S. President Donald Trump’s alleged willingness to broker a resolution, Putin stressed that Russia remains prepared to pursue its objectives through military force if diplomacy fails. The statement underscores ongoing tensions and the persistence of hostilities in the region.
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