Putin blames NATO expansion for Ukraine crisis

(Web Desk): Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that efforts to include Ukraine in NATO are among the root causes of the Ukraine crisis.

Speaking at the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) summit in Tianjin, China, Putin said the crisis in Ukraine did not begin with an attack, but rather with a coup in Kyiv that was supported by Western allies.

He emphasized that the West’s attempts to bring Ukraine into NATO were a significant factor in triggering the conflict.

Putin added that it is essential to address the fundamental causes of the crisis and restore a balance in security.

He further asserted that Russia stands by the principle that no country should ensure its security at the expense of another.