Russian President Vladimir Putin today accused Western nations of triggering the Ukraine crisis, claiming that their backing of a change in leadership in Kyiv sparked the conflict.
Putin’s remarks come as uncertainty surrounds the next round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, being mediated by the United States.
Putin also alleged that Ukraine’s leadership is manipulating European countries. He pointed specifically to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s appeals to Western allies for additional weapons to resist Russian forces, as well as Kyiv’s actions affecting energy supplies to nearby European nations, including Hungary.
