Tianjin: Russian President Vladimir Putin has attributed the ongoing crisis in Ukraine to a Western-backed coup that ousted the then Ukrainian President, Viktor Yanukovych.
According to Ghana News Agency, the crisis stems from the 2014 coup d’etat in Ukraine, which he claims was instigated and supported by Western powers. This event, followed by military actions against regions and people within Ukraine who opposed the coup, set the stage for the current conflict.
Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council Meeting in Tianjin, China, President Putin emphasized that the crisis did not originate from a Russian attack on Ukraine but from the political upheaval perpetuated by the West. He stated, “Let me remind you that this crisis did not arise from Russia attacking Ukraine, but from a coup d’etat in Ukraine, supported and provoked by the West.”
Putin further elaborated that the West’s continuous efforts to integrate Ukraine into NATO pose a direct threat to Russia’s security, a concern Moscow has raised repeatedly over the years. He recalled the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian coup, where the Yanukovych-led government, which opposed NATO membership, was deposed, leading to calls for independence from Russian-speaking regions like Donbass.
The Russian leader acknowledged and praised efforts by China, India, and other strategic partners in seeking a peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis. He highlighted the importance of international cooperation within the framework of the SCO, underscoring the organization’s role in fostering stability, security, and development across the Eurasian continent.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting also focused on the progress of economic and political collaborations among member states, with Putin commending China’s leadership during its chairmanship. The meeting resulted in the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration, which outlines the collective stance of SCO members on pressing global and regional issues, and a development strategy through 2035.