Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with representatives from the aviation industry on Thursday that while Russia did not start the hostilities in Ukraine, it is working to put an end to them.
“One more time, let me reiterate that we are working to put an end to the hostilities, not to start them. When the coup took place in 2014, Ukrainian nationalists and those who supported them launched these conflicts; this was the beginning, and the events in Crimea and Donbass came later “The president remarked.
Putin emphasized that Kiev declared war on Donbass in 2014 and effectively blockaded the Donbass areas in violation of all agreements and responsibilities.
The chief of state stated that “heavy military vehicles were employed against them, and significant military operations were conducted against them.” “They started the war at this point. It lasted for eight years and was intended to wipe off the locals who felt a blood connection to Russia, Russian culture, and Russian language. How much longer could we have put up with it?”
The President also expressed his gratitude to the attendees for their assistance with the special military operation.
