The Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin stated that he had no choice but to invade Ukraine. Furthermore, if he could turn back time, he would have made the decision to invade even before February 2022. Reports TSN. This information comes from Kontrakty.UA.
This is noted by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), referencing an interview with Putin published in Russia on Sunday, December 22.
The Kremlin leader also claims that Ukraine, along with the West, "misled Russia" and violated the Minsk agreements. Additionally, Western partners were preparing Kyiv for "military actions" against the Russian Federation in the future.
Given the "threat" from Ukraine and NATO, Russia needed to prepare and "choose the right time" to initiate the so-called "special military operation" so as "not to wait for a moment when nothing could be done."
ISW analysts pointed out that Putin "forgot" to mention Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the beginning of the war in Donetsk and Luhansk, which forced Ukraine to respond defensively and work on strengthening its army.
"The Minsk II agreements were extremely beneficial for Russia, imposing no obligations on Moscow, which participated in the negotiations supposedly as a neutral mediator. The agreements established a "ceasefire regime," which Russian puppets continuously violated with the support of Russia," ISW reminded.
It is worth noting that ISW analysts believe that Putin continues the militarization of Russian youth for a long-term war against Ukraine. The dictator intends to use various military-political organizations to promote and enhance the prestige of military service in society.