Putin praises Trump's plans, but negotiations regarding Ukraine are complex

Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who is on a two-day visit to India, said on Thursday that ongoing negotiations with the United States on Ukraine are “complex” but should be “engaged” in them and not hindered.

– This is a complex task and a difficult mission that President (Donald) Trump has set for himself. Reaching a consensus between the parties to the conflict is not easy, but I believe that President Trump is sincerely trying to achieve it, Putin said in an interview with India Today television.

“I believe we should engage in these efforts, not hinder them,” he added.

In an extensive interview, Putin claimed that Russia did not invade Ukraine but was “forced” to intervene as a result of actions taken “by Ukrainian nationalists inspired by the West.”

– Our special military operation is not the beginning of a war, but rather an attempt to end the war that the West started by exploiting Ukrainian nationalists – argued the Russian leader. He assured that Russia would end the war when it achieved its goals.

He also said that Ukraine's pursuit of NATO membership constitutes a direct threat to Russia, which it cannot allow. – Every country, including Ukraine, has the right to choose its own means of defense and ensure its security. Do we deny this to Ukraine? NO. But this cannot be accepted if it is done at the expense of Russia, he said.

In the interview, Putin strongly praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian economy, assured that American sanctions would not disrupt cooperation between the two countries and argued that formats such as the BRICS group or the G20 are more important than the G7, because Europe is losing economic importance. (PAP)

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