Saturday, April 26, 2025

Putin comment on ’taking Kiev in 2 weeks’ taken out of contex

Date:

Share post:

MOSCOW: A reported comment by President Vladimir Putin that Russia could capture Ukraine’s capital Kiev within two weeks was taken out of context, Itar-Tass news agency quoted a Kremlin foreign policy aide as saying on Tuesday.
It quoted Yuri Ushakov as saying that whether or not those words were spoken, the quote “was taken out of context and had a totally different meaning”.
Italy’s La Repubblica reported this week that Putin told European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in a telephone conversation: “If I want to, I can take Kiev in two weeks”. The comment was reportedly relayed by Barroso to leaders at last weekend’s European Union summit.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko accused Russia yesterday of “direct and undisguised aggression” which he said had changed the battlefield balance as Kiev’s forces suffered a reverse against pro-Moscow separatists. Moscow denies direct engagement of its troops in the war in Ukraine.
Putin had called on Sunday for immediate negotiations on the “statehood” of southern and eastern Ukraine.
Tass quoted Ushakov as criticising Barroso, saying it was “improper” and undiplomatic to relay details of the conversation.
“If this was done, then it seems to me unworthy of a serious political figure,” he said. (Reuters)

Related articles

Govt issues advisory on media reporting of defence operations

New Delhi, April 26: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday issued an advisory directing all media...

Pakistan open for ‘neutral, transparent and credible investigation’ into Pahalgam terror attack: PM Shehbaz Sharif

Islamabad, April 26: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday expressed the country's readiness to participate in any...

Sleep well, avoid junk food to keep your liver healthy

New Delhi, April 26: Having a good night's sleep and avoiding junk food is essential to keep the...

Over two lakh people, top world leaders attend funeral ceremony of Pope Francis at Vatican

Vatican City, April 26: The funeral mass ceremony of Pope Francis, that began Saturday afternoon, India time, in...