He accused Western elites of using Ukrainians as "cannon fodder" and stoking anti-Russia sentiment against their own populations' interests. (Image: The Economist)
At the annual Valdai Discussion Club conference on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a striking assertion about the ongoing war in Ukraine. He directly implicated U.S. leadership, suggesting the conflict could have been averted under a different administration. His comments have intensified the political narrative surrounding one of the world's most critical crises.
In a clear reference to American politics, Putin stated that “if US President Donald Trump was in power the conflict in Ukraine could have been avoided.” This statement draws a direct line between Washington's leadership and the hostilities in Eastern Europe. It frames the war as a result of U.S. foreign policy choices rather than as a standalone regional conflict. By making this claim, Putin shifts the focus from Moscow's actions to the White House's occupant.
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Putin left no room for ambiguity, emphatically declaring that “this is Biden’s war.” He added that it 'should have never happened, would have never happened'. This labeling comes despite the fact that Russia’s large-scale military buildup and subsequent actions began in 2021, after President Biden had taken office. The Western perspective, which sees the war as an unprovoked act of aggression by Russia that violates international security rules, stands in stark contrast to the Russian leader's narrative.
Striking a different tone, Putin also described the situation as a “Ukrainian tragedy” and a “common pain for all of us.” However, he quickly returned to his critique of the West, accusing it of cynical motives. He claimed, "The West doesn’t care about Ukrainians; it views them as cannon fodder." This tone implies that Putin believes Western assistance for Ukraine is about achieving larger geopolitical objectives at the expense of Ukrainian lives rather than defending a sovereign state.
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Beyond the United States, Putin also targeted European leadership. He argued that the West is recreating an age-old "caricature" of Russia as an enemy. “Many Europeans can't understand why Russia is so threatening that they must tighten their belts, sacrifice their own interests, and engage in policies that harm them,” he stated. According to him, “European elites continue to stoke hysteria,” implying that the push for sanctions and military aid is driven by leaders, not the public's will. This attempts to create a divide between the populace and their governments in NATO countries.
