×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Tuesday
03
Feb 2026
weather symbol
Athens 16°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

Putin: At the beginning of the operation we asked Kyiv to withdraw from Donbas, but they refused

"The presence of our troops near Kyiv does not mean that we want to occupy Ukraine"

Newsroom March 16 05:00

A revelation to “justify” the generalization of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was made by Vladimir Putin, during his statements on the economic situation in the country.

“I want to say this for the first time: at the beginning of our operation in Donbas, the Kiev authorities, through various channels, in order to prevent unreasonable bloodshed, were called upon not to engage in hostilities, but simply to withdraw their troops from Donbas. They did not want to. Well, that was their decision”, said the Russian head of state.

Referring to the development of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Putin said: “The operation is going well. In strict accordance with the approved plans. The presence of our troops near Kyiv does not mean that we want to occupy Ukraine”, Putin said.

>Related articles

France: Paris prosecutor’s office investigation into X’s premises, algorithm interference under investigation

Reza Pahlavi: Calls for global protests on 14 February against the regime in Iran

Today the first major discussion on the National Baccalaureate: What changes in Upper Secondary School and access to universities

Commenting on Western sanctions, Putin said: “The West is acting on a long-term plan, as it does not want a strong and sovereign Russia. Their moves are predetermined and they want to ‘freeze’ our reserves”.

See Also:

World’s deepest hole offers “inexhaustible clean energy”

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#diplomacy#Donbas#invasion#military#politics#russia#Russian President Vladimir Putin#ukraine#war#world
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Greece and Italy form a joint front against the illicit trafficking of cultural property

February 3, 2026

Online auctions for beaches and coastal areas begin

February 3, 2026

Authorities in Iran arrest 139 foreign nationals during the protests

February 3, 2026

Wales: Volunteers wanted to live on a remote island for 3 months counting Puffins

February 3, 2026

Spain bans social media for children under 16

February 3, 2026

France: Paris prosecutor’s office investigation into X’s premises, algorithm interference under investigation

February 3, 2026

Reza Pahlavi: Calls for global protests on 14 February against the regime in Iran

February 3, 2026

The University of Athens and law students at the core of the constitutional revision, discussion on the choice of the leadership of the Judiciary

February 3, 2026
All News

> Economy

EIB: Towards a new record of close to €4 billion in lending to the Greek economy

Focus on energy, social cohesion and SMEs - Tsakiris: "Greece is a pillar country for the EIB" - Stournaras on the investment gap and the role of investment in growth, Pierrakakis on the new production model

February 3, 2026

Real Estate: How apartment building management can cut up to 20% off a property’s value

February 2, 2026

Official EU law bans Russian natural gas imports, upgrading Greece’s role and the vertical corridor

February 2, 2026

Luxury Housing in Attica: The five-year period that changed the game (2021–2026)

February 2, 2026

Recovery Fund: EU races against time to absorb €182 billion

February 2, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα