×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Friday
19
Dec 2025
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

The Ukrainians struck a tanker of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ between Crete and Libya; Putin warns, ‘we will respond’

Putin unmoved on Ukraine’s territorial issue: His clear message through the map shown during his interview

At least 1,000 people have died while waiting to be medically evacuated from Gaza

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

Consumer Protection Authority: Despoina Tsangari officially appointed President

December 19, 2025

DBRS: Stable growth trajectory for Greece until 2027 – Improvement in the labour market

December 19, 2025

Long traffic jams in Ritsona as farmers block service roads of the national highway

December 19, 2025

The Ukrainians struck a tanker of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ between Crete and Libya; Putin warns, ‘we will respond’

December 19, 2025

Code “Port Arc”: The American plan that is reshaping Greece’s map from north to south

December 19, 2025

Putin unmoved on Ukraine’s territorial issue: His clear message through the map shown during his interview

December 19, 2025

12th Arcadia Classic Tour, 24-25 January 2026 (video-photos)

December 19, 2025

“I am the businessman Mazonakis is referring to,” says Thanasis Papageorgiou, who sends him a legal notice

December 19, 2025
All News

> World

The Ukrainians struck a tanker of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ between Crete and Libya; Putin warns, ‘we will respond’

As the oil tanker was empty, there is no environmental threat from the operation, a source assured, adding that the ship "suffered significant damage" - We will respond, warns Putin

December 19, 2025

Putin unmoved on Ukraine’s territorial issue: His clear message through the map shown during his interview

December 19, 2025

At least 1,000 people have died while waiting to be medically evacuated from Gaza

December 19, 2025

They gave $2.5 million to the hero who disarmed the terrorist in Sydney — “Do I deserve it?” he asked emotionally

December 19, 2025

Putin attacks Europeans over Russian assets: “Thieves who will face serious consequences”

December 19, 2025
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2025 Πρώτο Θέμα