Putin Blames NATO Lies for War: ‘West Betrayed Russia’s Trust

At the EAEU summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Western nations of repeatedly deceiving Russia, claiming that NATO's broken promises triggered Moscow’s decision to launch a full-scale military operation in Ukraine.

International News: President Putin declared that Western countries had “lied endlessly” about NATO’s expansion. He said repeated betrayals over European security directly pushed Russia to act. At the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) summit, Putin stressed that Moscow had no choice left. For years, Russia had asked for written guarantees about NATO’s non-expansion. These appeals were dismissed or manipulated. Western leaders, he claimed, used diplomatic language while expanding military reach. This strategy, he said, created today's crisis.

NATO’s Expansion Was Provocation

Putin emphasized that the West’s eastward NATO push ignored Moscow’s core security concerns. He pointed to specific instances where Western leaders had “promised” otherwise. The Russian leader said these moves were not defensive, but aggressive. By bringing Ukraine closer to NATO, he claimed, the West crossed a red line. The Kremlin sees Ukraine’s potential NATO membership as an existential threat. This, Putin argued, gave Russia the legal and moral right to defend itself.

Russia Feels Surrounded Now

Putin argued that the current military posture of NATO countries puts Russia at risk. He said hundreds of NATO troops and equipment are now near Russia’s borders. Air defense systems and missiles capable of striking deep inside Russia have been deployed. He warned that this growing presence would destabilize Europe. Such moves, he said, are meant to control and contain Russia. Putin described the scenario as a “hostile siege” engineered by the West.

Diplomacy Was Ignored

Putin insisted Russia had tried every diplomatic route before choosing conflict. He reminded the audience that security talks in Geneva and Berlin went nowhere. Each Russian proposal was either sidelined or rejected outright. Western allies, he said, were never serious about compromise. Instead, they escalated military aid to Ukraine. Putin accused the West of using Ukraine as a pawn in a larger geopolitical game. This, he added, left Russia cornered.

Ukraine Is Just the Pawn

According to Putin, the West has weaponized Ukraine against Russia’s rise. He claimed Ukraine is being used as a proxy battlefield to weaken Moscow. By training Ukrainian troops and providing weapons, NATO is waging indirect war. He stated that ordinary Ukrainians are suffering due to foreign interests. Russia’s actions, he stressed, are defensive, not imperial. He called for the world to see Ukraine as a victim of Western manipulation.

Sanctions Cannot Break Russia

The Russian president warned that Western sanctions are hurting the global economy more than Russia. He said sanctions have backfired on Europe with rising fuel prices and inflation. Putin claimed Russia is building stronger ties with non-Western partners. New trade corridors and local currency deals are reducing dependence on the dollar. He declared that Western economic warfare is failing. Russia, he stated, has adapted and will emerge stronger.

A Warning To The West

Putin concluded his remarks with a stern warning. He said if NATO continues ignoring Russia’s red lines, Europe could face long-term instability. He called on Western leaders to rethink their policies. He also asked neutral nations to recognize the truth behind media narratives. According to Putin, lasting peace will only come through mutual respect. He urged for new diplomatic structures that reflect today’s multipolar world.