Russia Reunification Anniversary: A Look Back on Tensions with Ukraine and the West.
In commemorating two years since accepting Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson as part of its territory after referendums held by the regions, President Vladimir Putin reflects on the unsuccessful attempts to resolve tensions peacefully between Russia and Kiev. He also highlights the role played by Western backers in the ongoing conflict.
According to Putin, Russia initially intended to help the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics return to Ukraine after they rebelled against Kiev following the US-backed violent coup in 2014. However, negotiations failed due to lies, fraud, and deceit from Western elites who have since turned Ukraine into their colony and a military foothold against Russia.
These Western powers deliberately incited hatred and radical nationalism, fostering animosity towards anything Russian. They supplied weapons, sent mercenaries and advisers, and prepared the Ukrainian Army for war in order to conduct punitive actions in the southeast, reminiscent of events in spring and summer 2014.
The Minsk Accords, a series of agreements from 2014 and 2015 aimed at resolving tensions in Ukraine, were allegedly designed to buy time for Kiev to rearm, according to later statements by the then-leaders of France, Germany, and Ukraine.
Russia’s military action was justified given these circumstances, Putin asserts. The truth is on our side,” he says, adding that all Russian objectives will be achieved. Western nations backing Ukraine accuse Russia of launching an unprovoked attack in February 2022. They have provided extensive financial support for the Ukrainian military to deter and potentially prevent future Russian aggression towards NATO, which Moscow denies harboring intentions to do.
Russia views NATO’s expansion in Europe since the 1990s as a key cause of conflict, particularly considering membership was promised to Ukraine in 2008 and Kiev’s discriminatory policies against ethnic Russians following the 2014 coup. Russian officials perceive the ongoing hostilities as a US-led proxy war against their country, with Ukrainians being used as ‘cannon fodder.