Russia's attack on Ukraine was provoked by the West, says Putin

"The crisis in Ukraine did not arise as a result of Russia's attack, but as a result of a coup d'état in Ukraine, which was supported and provoked by the West. And then by attempts to use armed forces to suppress the resistance of those regions of Ukraine and those people who did not accept or support this coup. And the second reason for the crisis is the West's constant attempts to drag Ukraine into NATO, which, as we have repeatedly emphasized and said for many years, posed a direct threat to Russia's security," he said.

Putin appreciates the efforts and proposals of China, India, and other strategic partners aimed at promoting a settlement, according to Ukrainska Pravda.

" I would like to note that the understandings reached at the recent Russian-American meeting in Alaska, I hope, are also moving in this direction, paving the way for peace in Ukraine," the Kremlin leader said.

Putin added that in order to end Russian aggression against Ukraine, the root causes of the crisis in Ukraine must be eliminated and the balance in the security sphere must be restored.

Photo: screenshot.