Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday described the war in Ukraine as a “tragedy”, but insisted that Russia “had no choice” but to invade its western neighbor. Speaking to reporters after meeting in eastern Russia with Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin said: “What is happening in Ukraine is a tragedy, there is no doubt about it. But we had no choice. It was only a matter of time “before an attack on Russia. Putin traveled to Russia’s eastern Amur region to meet with Lukashenko, a staunch ally who has backed the Russian president and his war in Ukraine. The two leaders discussed the war during the meeting, Russian news agency Tass reported. The economic sanctions imposed on his country “failed”, Putin added, arguing that the Russian economy is stable despite the blows. “Blitzkrieg sanctions against Russia have failed. “The industry and the financial system of the country are working, but of course there are some problems,” Putin said. “It’s clear that the Russian economy is stable. But in the medium and long term, the risks may increase. “Our opponents plan to double their activities.” Russian President Vladimir Putin said on April 12 that Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine would undoubtedly achieve its goals. (Video: Reuters, Photo: Reuters) What role did Belarus play in the Russia-Ukraine crisis? Mr Lukashenko described the war as a “dangerous moment” for the West, blaming Britain and the United States in particular. Putin thanked him for helping in the negotiations with Ukraine, but said that they have reached a dead end, for which he blamed the Ukrainians. “Kyiv has moved away from the Istanbul agreements, so we are back to a dead end,” Putin said, referring to talks in the Turkish city late last month. “Yesterday, I was told that the Ukrainian side had changed something in its negotiating position. “I do not know the details yet,” he added. Putin also said it was unclear when the war would end. The “special military operation” in Ukraine is evolving as planned and will continue until its goals are met, he said. “We will act rhythmically, calmly, in accordance with the plan originally proposed by the General Staff,” Putin said. Adviser to the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak denied that the peace talks have stopped and said that Russia is trying to put pressure on Ukraine through such public statements. “Negotiations are extremely difficult,” Podolyak told Ukraine’s Pravda. “But they do.” “It goes without saying that the Ukrainian delegation works exclusively in a pro-Ukrainian and transparent framework. It is also understood that the Russian side adheres to its traditional tactic of exerting public pressure on the negotiation process, including through a number of public statements,” he added. . The rare press conference by Putin and Lukashenko followed the two leaders’ visit to the Vostochny spaceport to celebrate Russia’s annual Cosmonaut Day, which marks the world’s first human space flight from the Soviet Union. Insult and isolation led Vladimir Putin to misjudge Ukraine Belarus’s army has not been involved in the fighting in Ukraine, but Russian troops were stationed in Belarus before the start of the war and launched their main ground offensive in northern Ukraine and Kyiv from Belarus. However, hundreds of pro-democracy activists from Belarus have joined the fight in Ukraine against Russia – inspired by Ukraine’s success on the battlefield and determined to move that momentum back to Belarus to end Lukashenko’s 28-year rule. Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been a vocal opponent of the invasion, calling Lukashenko’s government a “co-attacker” in Russia’s war. Belarus’s support for Russia during the invasion has also made it a target of economic sanctions. “Belarus has become increasingly dependent on Russia for financial, political and military support in recent years,” the US Treasury Department said in a statement on February 24, announcing sanctions against the Eastern European country. Putin backed his Belarusian counterpart when Lukashenko faced mass protests over the disputed 2020 election. At the time, Putin promised to send Russian forces to help quell the unrest. Russia has also given Belarus a $ 1.5 billion loan as a sign of support.
