Putin Warns The West: Ukraine’s NATO Dreams Cannot Threaten Russia’s Security | World News

New Delhi: Addressing ongoing debates about NATO expansion and Kiev’s role in global geopolitics, Russian President Vladimir Putin made clear on December 4 that Moscow will not compromise its own security interests to protect Ukraine.

Speaking to India Today, he said Ukraine’s security cannot come at Russia’s expense. He emphasized that every nation, including Ukraine, has the right to choose its own defense path, but Moscow cannot accept regulations that threaten its security.

Referring to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Putin said, “When this gentleman came to power, he declared that he would pursue peace at all costs, using every possible means, without even compromising his career. But now we see things differently. He follows the same model as his predecessors and puts the interests of a narrow nationalist group, especially radical nationalists, ahead of the interests of the people.”

The Russian President did not hold back in his criticism, claiming that Kiev’s current approach bears striking similarities with neo-Nazi ideologies.

“Extremist nationalism and neo-Nazism are almost inseparable concepts. The most important thing for them is to understand that the best way to solve problems is through peaceful negotiations, and we have attempted to negotiate with them in 2022.”

Regarding NATO’s role, Putin emphasized that he was not against Russia ensuring Ukraine’s security, but that this could not happen at Russia’s expense.

“Every country, including Ukraine, has the right to choose its own means of defense and ensure its own security. Is it true? Absolutely true. Do we deny Ukraine this? No. But if it is done at the expense of Russia, it is unacceptable,” he said.

He also pointed out that commitments made to Russia in the 1990s not to expand NATO eastwards were repeatedly ignored.

Putin said, “We do not want anything unusual. In the 90s, Russia was promised: there would be no eastward expansion. Since then, there have been various waves of expansion, culminating in Ukraine’s withdrawal to NATO. This completely disturbs us and poses a serious threat.”

Drawing attention to Ukraine’s Declaration of State Sovereignty, the Russian President stated that Ukraine initially recognized the country as a neutral state. “When Ukraine became independent, few people remember it: the first document confirming independence was the Declaration of State Sovereignty. This forms the basis of Ukrainian sovereignty and its modern state. It clearly states that Ukraine is a neutral state.”

Referring to Kiev’s 28-article peace proposal, Putin claimed that little had changed. “They first divided these 28 points, then 27 points, into four packages and suggested that these four packages be discussed. But essentially it’s still the same old 27 points,” he said.

Putin also spoke at his meeting with Donald Trump in Alaska, stating that the US president is truly determined to achieve peace. “I have absolutely no doubt that President Trump has genuine intentions. He constantly talks about wanting to minimize losses, and I’m confident his sincerity is genuine,” he said.

While Putin acknowledged Washington’s political and economic interests, he insisted that both countries were actively seeking solutions. “There may also be political interests or economic reasons tied to the end of the conflict. There are many areas where reestablishing economic relations between the United States and Russia will benefit both sides,” he added.

Through the interview, Putin projected a vision that Russia’s security is non-negotiable and reiterated that Moscow is open to dialogue but will not accept a framework that would endanger its national security.