Russia's Operation in Ukraine: Kosaçev Blames Kiev's European Allies

Russian Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosaçev stated that Kiev's European allies are responsible for the prolongation of the conflict in Ukraine. Kosaçev described NATO's actions as “not defense but open aggression”. Russia claimed that the conflict in Ukraine could have ended through negotiations in the spring of 2022, but it was prolonged due to NATO's support for Kiev. This occurred despite Russia strengthening its position in the Ukrainian theater, amid the West's comprehensive and "morally unacceptable" support.The Russian Senator also found it erroneous that NATO's claim of inviolability of its own territory is accepted without question by the majority of the world. He emphasized that NATO missiles launched with target information provided directly by the alliance constitute "not a defensive but an offensive action". In the current situation, where external threats have disappeared, NATO is inventing new threats to justify its own existence, he added.