&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Is 'western bullying' real reason for Ukraine war? Putin reveals 'root causes' behind Moscow's invasion of Kyiv")
After his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska, Vladimir Putin once again blamed the West for the war in Ukraine. The Russian president insisted the real issue, or the so-called 'root cause' lies in what he called the 'situation around Ukraine.' By this, he meant a long-running struggle over Russia’s security and its place in the world.
Balance of power at the centre
Putin said the root cause of the conflict was the collapse of what he views as a “fair balance in the security sphere in Europe and the world as a whole.” He said peace could only come if that balance is restored, with Russia treated as an equal to the United States and NATO. For the Kremlin, this means undoing the West’s dominance since the Soviet Union broke apart in 1991 during the Cold War.
Claiming Russia is the victim
Putin has repeatedly called the war a tragedy, saying Russians and Ukrainians “have the same roots.” He said he wanted it to end, but blamed the West for pushing Ukraine away from Russia. In his view, Russia is not the aggressor, instead, he portrays his country as a victim of Western bullying.
Trending Stories
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why does the B-52 bomber still use eight engines?
)
Wimbledon 2026: Karolina Muchova's 'ex-friend' joke steals the show after final heartbreak
)
HIMARS launched from Bahrain? US launches BIG attack on Iran after Hormuz closure, Hegseth says 'now they pay'
)
‘We were screaming for help’: Witness recounts Vietnam boat barely left the shore before capsizing
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter jets leave exhaust pipes raw compared to US jets
)
Afghanistan seeks Indian seeds and technology to boost farming and food security
)
Why England's equaliser vs Norway was so controversial: FIFA explains camera wire incident
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22 cockpit is much smaller than you might expect
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How much does a B-52 bomber cost?
)
US military withdraws stealth fighter jets from Israeli airbase even as tensions with Iran flare up again
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are the B-52 bomber's tyres different from those on most aircraft?
)
Tom Holland on why The Odyssey will be celebrated by Indians who crave larger-than-life cinema
)
Sucked into another dimension? Rumours swirl physicist vanished while working on science of 'being in two places at once'
)
Japanese researchers find invisible gold in massive quantities hiding beneath seafloor
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How can the B-52 bomber carry so many different types of weapons?
)
From 96% to 3 zeros: Professor suspected AI cheating in remote exam. What he did next exposed 57 of 59 students
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter jets keep mechanical clocks compared to US jets
)
Man claims he travelled to year 3700. Robots had killed 30% of humans. Here is what else he says he saw
)
Afghanistan’s top diplomat in Delhi seeks India’s help in water management, agriculture modernisation
)
'I requested...': Trump taken to Walter Reed hospital amid Iran strikes? What we know
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter jets show visible body rivets compared to US jets
)
Avengers-Doomsday: Marvel Studios unveils concept poster featuring Thor, Loki, Steve Rogers and more | Watch
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the B-52 bomber is outliving newer bombers
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Odysseus to Athena: Who’s who in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey? Full cast guide
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Linda Noskova? Meet the new Wimbledon 2026 women's singles champion
)
Fact Check: Viral photo shows Trump leaning in for a kiss with Brigitte Macron. Here is the full truth
)
Russia-Ukraine war: Putin urges remote work after massive Ukrainian strikes
)
UK tells female soldiers to double their diet and sleep more to match male soldiers
)
₹2,000: The last of the pink notes face quiet exit as RBI confirms 98.5% of currency returned
)
'Shooter is active': At least two dead, several injured after shooting rocks Toronto
)
US Senator Lindsey Graham, key Trump ally, dies after 'sudden illness'; Trump says 'will be greatly missed': Who was he
)
World's first once-a-week insulin launched in India: Here's how much it costs
)
18 women developed kidney problems in Nagpur. Medical probe found a common culprit
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many tires does a B-52 bomber have?
)
Can Trump really order Iran’s destruction if he is assassinated? Here’s what US law says
NATO expansion as the trigger
For years, Putin has said NATO’s growth in Eastern Europe is the main reason for the conflict. Countries such as Poland and Romania joined NATO after the Soviet Union collapsed. When Ukraine looked to follow the same path, Russia drew a red line. Western leaders rejected Moscow’s demands to stop NATO’s expansion, and soon after, Russia invaded.
A Cold War mindset
For Putin, the “root causes” are less about Ukraine itself and more about restoring Russia’s place as a global power, equal to the United States and respected in Europe. Putin's mindset is to restore Russia as one of two global superpowers and revive the Cold War order, where Moscow held sway over its neighbours and sat at the top table of world politics.
A gamble that has backfired
But instead of weakening NATO, Russia’s invasion has made it stronger. Finland and Sweden, once neutral, have now joined the alliance, bringing it even closer to Russia’s borders. What Putin sees as fixing an imbalance may have only deepened it.
