Germany Releases Document of Putin's Statements on Ukraine After 30 Years

Germany has released archived documents from 1994 that contain statements made by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the territorial claims over Ukraine and Kazakhstan. This was reported by the German publication Der Spiegel.

The documents reveal that Putin asserted that Crimea, Ukraine's eastern regions, and northern Kazakhstan historically belong to Russia. “It is impossible to explain why these lands have become part of other states when millions of compatriots live there,” the documents quote Putin.

Experts note that 30 years ago, Putin linked the tensions in the region to the situation of the Russian-speaking population. At the same time, he emphasized in the records that the defense of Russia's interests is not an attempt to revive the empire.

Following his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he is ready to discuss territorial issues, but only during a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin.