Donetsk, Oct 5 — DAN. Russia did not start the war in Ukraine; it is trying to end it, President Vladimir Putin said at a session of the Valdai Discussion Club on Thursday.
“We have to respond the increasing military and political pressure, ” Putin said. “I repeatedly said that we had not started the so-called war in Ukraine, on the contrary, we’re trying to end it.”
It was not Moscow that staged the military coup in Ukraine in 2014, he said.
The government overthrow, also known as “Maidan” which is the name of the location where the key events unfolded, occurred in Kiev in the beginning of 2014. Disturbances involving far right extremists began back in 2013. It was the turning point followed by a series of tragic consequences including the prolonged and blood-shedding Donbass war.
The special military operation began overnight to February 24, 2022. The decision to launch it was made after an appeal from the Donbass Republics’ leaders. Moscow had no plans to occupy Ukrainian lands. The purpose is to “protect the people who have been subjected to torture and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years, ” Russian President Vladimir Putin said.*jk