Bogdan Frolov09:42, 25.12.25
The US National Security Archive has published a transcript of the 2001 meeting.
Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin, in the early years of his presidency, claimed that Ukraine was a part of Russia, given to him by the party leaders of the USSR. This is evidenced by a transcript of a conversation between him and the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, published by the US National Security Archive .
In 2001, Putin declared that “Soviet goodwill” had voluntarily changed the world. “The Russians gave up thousands of square kilometers of territory, voluntarily. Unheard of. Ukraine, part of Russia for centuries, was given up. Kazakhstan was given up. The Caucasus too. It’s hard to imagine, and it was done by party bosses,” he said at the time in a conversation with Bush.
He also emphasized at that time that he was popular in Russia.
“Because I am in touch [with the people]. People in Russia feel cheated by the large-scale changes that have brought more freedom that they cannot take advantage of. Not only the poor, but also the elite are feeling disappointed,” Putin added.
(C)UNIAN 2025
“Ukraine, part of Russia for centuries, was given up.”
They need to make their mind up. Ukraine has been a country for centuries, or was only formed in 1991. Which is it?
Any 007 Bond movie fans here? After watching a couple yesterday I had forgotten how Russia was always the source of the bad guy. Take a moment and find the Octopussy scene about 15 minutes in – a meeting in the Kremlin about how they will take over Europe in 5 days, with a lightening attack, and how the west is too weak to use nukes – ITS THE EXACT playbook for the 3 day SMO – LOL, cant make this up….
Yup. Take 007 – The World is not enough, from 1999. As if it inspired Putin to remove Yeltsyn and restore the USSR. Politicians watch too much tv while drinking…