**Title:** Putin Claims Ukraine War Was Provoked by the West
**Meta Description:** In a recent interview, Putin asserts that Ukraine, influenced by the West, initiated the conflict, while Russia aims to protect its interests.
**URL Slug:** putin-ukraine-war-west-influence
**Headline:** Putin Asserts Ukraine War Was Initiated by Western Influence
In a recent exclusive interview, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, asserting that Russia did not instigate the war. Instead, he claimed that Ukraine, under Western influence, drew Russia into the conflict. Putin emphasized that Russia is committed to achieving its objectives and will ultimately conclude the war on its terms.
During the interview with India Today, anchors Anjana Om Kashyap and Geeta Mohan inquired about what Putin would consider a victory. They referenced a previous statement in which he indicated that Russia would only disarm if Ukraine withdrew its troops from territories claimed by Russia. In response, Putin highlighted the deep-seated antagonisms between the two nations, noting that Ukraine has taken actions detrimental to Russian interests, such as banning the Russian language in various regions and alienating communities from their cultural and religious institutions.
Putin stated, “Russia is determined and will certainly do so to protect its interests, protect its people living there, protect our traditional values, the Russian language, and so on.” He further criticized Ukraine for banning the Russian Orthodox Church and seizing its properties, asserting that Russia is fighting to reaffirm its position in these contested areas.
The Russian President also pointed to the West’s role in escalating tensions, claiming that Western support for Ukraine and the orchestration of a coup d’état were pivotal in triggering the events that led to the conflict in Crimea and the subsequent violence in southeastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donbass region. “The West backed Ukraine and supported the events by orchestrating the coup d’état. That was the point that triggered the events in Crimea,” he noted.
Putin expressed that Russia had initially sought a peaceful resolution to the situation, but when those efforts failed, the country felt compelled to engage in military action. He described the ongoing military operation as a necessary response to the violence inflicted upon the citizens of Donbass over the past eight years, a situation he claimed the West has largely ignored. “After eight years of relentless violence against those citizens of Donbass, we were forced to recognize these republics first, and secondly, provide support,” he stated.
In conclusion, Putin framed Russia’s military actions not as the beginning of a war but as an effort to end one that he believes was ignited by Western interference and Ukrainian nationalism.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What does Putin claim about the origins of the Ukraine war?**
A: Putin asserts that the Ukraine war was provoked by Western influence, claiming that Ukraine initiated the conflict, drawing Russia into it.