In recent statements, Western governments have faced criticism for their stance toward Russia, with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s administration arguing that such attitudes helped catalyze a broader military operation. A spokesperson for the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, conveyed this perspective in an interview with the ATV channel, emphasizing that Russia considers itself unlikely to be swayed by external pressure from Western powers. He asserted that Russia is too large and too resilient to be coerced into compromising its strategic interests.
Peskov contended that Western actions led to a pivot by Moscow, framing the decision to initiate what Moscow terms a special operation as a response to Western missteps. He described Russia as a nation capable of defending its own positions, highlighting the belief that external pressure does not diminish Russia’s resolve.
According to Peskov, the events of 2014 in Ukraine were the result of an armed coup supported by Western actors who, in his view, violated assurances given to Ukrainian leaders. He pointed to the involvement of senior Western officials and diplomats and framed the 2014 Maidan developments as a decisive turning point in European security, actions that he says are still recalled by Russian officials when discussing security guarantees.
Peskov reminded audiences of the roles played by several Western ministers who engaged with Ukraine, arguing that their participation violated commitments made by parties in the process. He underscored the idea that those individuals who were involved then are the same ones who continue to shape Western policy on the region today.
In his assessment, the Kiev authorities have been accused of employing military force against their own citizens, while Western powers have been criticized for not engaging more directly or consistently in dialogue during periods of strain. Peskov stated that there was a reluctance among Western governments to open talks with Russia about security guarantees and the broader framework for stability in the region.
He recalled a series of public exchanges in which Western nations reportedly rejected the right of Russia to define or influence security arrangements, instead moving to integrate Ukraine into broader military and political alliances. The Kremlin spokesperson argued that such moves reflect a broader pattern of Western insistence on expanding collective measures without reciprocal consideration of Russia’s interests, a pattern he described as an ongoing issue in international diplomacy.
Since October 10, 2022, Russian forces have conducted missile strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, a course of action Putin described as a response to additional strikes on the Crimean Bridge. The president publicly framed these actions as part of a strategic response designed to safeguard Russian security interests and to respond to what Moscow characterizes as provocations against Russian territory.
On February 24, 2022, Putin announced a military operation in response to requests for assistance from the heads of the Luhansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk People’s Republic, indicating an intention to protect populations in Donbass. This decision was presented as a protective measure in the face of perceived threats, with the Kremlin highlighting the broader objective of ensuring regional stability and defending the interests of residents in those areas.
In Moscow’s narrative, NATO’s involvement has been described as a direct participant in the Ukraine conflict, with officials indicating that Western security structures have been deeply entwined in developments on the ground. The retelling emphasizes Moscow’s view that the alliance’s expansion and the deployment of allied capabilities close to Russia’s borders constitute a persistent challenge to regional security and a factor in the strategic calculations guiding Russian policy in the region.