Russia’s Security Is Non-Negotiable in Ukraine’s NATO Aspirations, Says Putin
Russian President reiterates opposition to NATO expansion, says Moscow will not compromise core security interests
Russian, Dec 05 : President Vladimir Putin on Thursday reiterated that Moscow will not compromise its security interests to guarantee Ukraine’s security, asserting that NATO’s eastward expansion remains a core concern for the Kremlin. Speaking to India Today, Putin said Ukraine’s defence choices must not undermine Russia’s strategic stability.
Putin argued that NATO membership for Ukraine was never acceptable to Moscow, despite Kyiv’s right to choose its own security partners. “Each country, including Ukraine, has the right to choose its own means of defence. Do we deny this? No. But it’s not acceptable if done at Russia’s expense,” he said.
Criticism of Zelenskyy’s leadership
The Russian President accused Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy of abandoning his peace mandate. “When he came to power, he declared that he would pursue peace at all costs. But now he follows the same pattern as his predecessors—prioritising the interests of radical nationalists,” Putin said. He described the current government as resembling a “neo-Nazi regime,” claiming Kyiv has continued to favour military solutions over negotiations.
Putin noted that Russia attempted talks in 2022 and remains open to negotiations, but only under conditions that protect Moscow’s security interests.
NATO commitments and Ukraine’s neutrality
Revisiting historical grievances, Putin said Western nations had pledged in the 1990s that NATO would not expand eastward—promises he claims were later broken. “Several waves of expansion took place, culminating with Ukraine being drawn into NATO. This poses a serious threat,” he said.
He also recalled that Ukraine’s original Declaration of State Sovereignty defined the country as a neutral state, a position he said should be the foundation for resolving the current conflict.
On peace proposals and U.S. involvement
Asked about Kyiv’s 28-point peace plan, Putin said Ukraine had merely repackaged the same terms across different formats. He also commented on his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska, calling Trump “sincere” in his desire to help end the conflict.
“I’m absolutely certain he sincerely aims for a peaceful resolution,” Putin said, adding that the U.S. has both political and economic motivations to push for an end to the war. He noted that restoring economic ties between Washington and Moscow would benefit both sides.
