Tianjin, China. – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday defended his war in Ukraine before Moscow’s allies, blaming the West for sparking the three-and-a-half-year conflict that has killed tens of thousands and ravaged much of eastern Ukraine.
“This crisis was not triggered by Russia’s attack on Ukraine, but by a coup in Ukraine that was supported and provoked by the West,” Putin said at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Tianjin, China.
He was referring to Ukraine’s 2013–2014 pro-European revolution, which ousted a pro-Russian president. In response, Moscow annexed Crimea and backed separatists in the east, plunging the country into war.
“The second reason for the crisis is the West’s constant attempts to drag Ukraine into NATO,” Putin added.
The SCO summit brought together Russian allies, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Moscow and Beijing promote the bloc as a counterweight to Western-led alliances such as NATO.
Calls for a ‘new global system’ beyond the West
Putin argued that the world needs “a system that would replace outdated Eurocentric and Euro-Atlantic models, and take into account the interests of the widest circle of countries.” He praised China, India, and other partners for their efforts to advance peace proposals on Ukraine.
So far, however, diplomacy has faltered. Despite US President Donald Trump urging Moscow and Kyiv to reach an agreement, talks have stalled. Putin has rejected a ceasefire and demanded Ukraine cede more territory and abandon Western backing as conditions for peace – demands Kyiv dismisses outright.
Putin said he would continue discussing diplomatic options, including his latest talks with Trump, during a series of bilateral meetings. He is scheduled to hold separate talks with Modi, Pezeshkian, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later Monday.
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