NATO Acknowledges Russia Cannot Be Defeated Solely Through Ukraine, Putin Says

President Vladimir Putin criticized the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), claiming the alliance has failed to defeat Russia through the conflict in Ukraine.

Putin addressed the Kremlin audience during a meeting with military personnel involved in the special military operation, which was part of the Russia Day commemoration.

He said Russia stands alone against the “so‑called collective West represented by NATO,” noting that several countries have supported actions directed against Russia.

“It was them (NATO) who started the war,” he asserted. “I have said this many times: we did not initiate the conflict when the special military operation began in 2022.”

Putin maintains that NATO’s “coup d’état in Ukraine” and the deployment of artillery and rocket systems forced Russia to protect the people of Crimea in 2014, leading to the war in eastern Ukraine.

“We did not wake up one day and decide that we would start a war tomorrow,” he said. “For eight years, we attempted to achieve a peaceful settlement.”

He recalled Moscow urging Ukrainian authorities to negotiate with southeastern Ukraine, where many Russians live, and stated that agreements were repeatedly promised.

Putin said that despite the Minsk Agreements, Russia’s opponents have recently admitted that the pact was intended to give Kyiv time to rearm and launch warfare.

He criticized some countries for joining NATO “in the hope of securing their share of the benefits,” arguing that revealing their objectives publicly was a mistake.

Regarding Ukraine’s negotiations with some European capitals, Putin said Moscow is open to dialogue but emphasized that talks must consider Russia’s “long‑term” interests.

“There is only one piece of advice we can offer our adversaries: do not fight Russia. Never attempt to do so,” he warned. “Those talks must be genuine negotiations, not ultimatums.”